News on the topic: freedom of expression
08.05.2008 Prosecutor’s office upholds KGB actions against independent journalists
Homel oblast KGB office found no law violations in the actions of the persons who had conducted a search in the apartment of the journalist Anatol Hatouchyts, member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, and took away his instruments of labor. The return of the confiscated items depends on the ‘organ by which the criminal investigation is lead’.
08.05.2008 Reporters Without Borders stands for Hazeta Slonimskaya
Reporters Without Borders condemns an eviction order and other efforts by local authorities to harass the weekly Hazeta Slonimskaya, the only independent newspaper in the western region of Hrodna. Its editor, Uladzimir Valadashchuk, appealed to readers for support on 30 April.
08.05.2008 Harassment of Hazeta Slonimskaya going on
The head of the psychoneurologic department of Slonim central district hospital received a letter signed by the head of the local branch of the KGB Aliaksandr Mazalkou with an order to check the editor-in-chief of an independent newspaper Hazeta Slonimskaya Viktar Valadashchuk and his relatives, whether they are listed in databases of psychoneurologic and narcological dispensaries.
05.05.2008 Police prohibit handing out non-state press
3 May is celebrated as the Universal Day of Press. At 12 a.m. representatives of the United Democratic Forces (including members of the Belarusian Popular Front party, the United Civil Party, the Party of Communists Belarusian, etc.) gathered near the Main Post Office in Minsk to mark this day by handing out to passers-by the officially registered non-state newspapers: Narodnaya Volia, Nasha Niva and Tovarishch. Bear in mind, that the state retail and subscription monopolist on press Belsayuzdruk, neither sells these newspapers, nor provides subscription to them, all because of their ‘oppositional’ content.
08.04.2008 Minsk authorities struggle against satellite dishes
Minsk owners of satellite antennas received instructions from utility and municipal services. By 7 April they must file documents allowing installing dishes and air conditioners.
13.03.2008 KGB Confirms Internet Filtering
At a press-conference in Minsk the deputy chair of the anti-terroristic center of the KGB Viachaslau Lilenka stated that ‘unnecessary knowledge present in the internet, must be closed and must reach only those categories of persons, who can correctly understand it.’ According to Linenka, the filtration of access to the websites which can contain information about terrorist actions or provoke them is filtered in Belarus.
13.03.2008 Head of Belarusian State TV and Radio Company Threatens Entrepreneurs
Aliaksandr Zimouski, head of the Belarusian State TV and Radio Company, has answered to the entrepreneurs who had addressed him with a request to give them an opportunity to appear on TV in a live program.
11.03.2008 Brest: Journalists Detained while Implementing Professional Duties
A group of independent correspondents spent 5 hours in a police department. Besides a colonel, ideological officers of Brest oblast executive committee spoke with them.
10.03.2008 'Euronews' Conceal Reasons for US Sanctions against Belarus
The Russian service of the pan-European TV channel Euronews informed about the reaction of the Belarusian population to the sanctions imposed by the US.
05.03.2008 Search in Babruisk
In the afternoon on 5 March the local police inspector, a representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and an unknown person in mufti paid a visit to the private house of the human rights activist Ihar Khodzka. Besides, Khodzka, at that time in the house there were several youngsters, including the leader of Babruisk branch of the BPF Youth Siarzhuk Latsinski.
12.02.2008 Horki Authorities Prohibit Issue of New Newspapers
Horki district executive committee did not let a member of the Belarusian People’s Front Party Eduard Brokarau to issue newspapers. Brokarau wanted to receive a license for advertisement, trade and issue of newspapers.
05.02.2008 Belarusian PEN-center Demands Reconsideration of Zdvizhkou’s Case and His Release
The deputy-editor of the Belarusian non-state newspaper Zgoda Aliaksandr Zdvizhkou has been sentenced to three years of high security prison for having reprinted Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, which was qualified as violation of article 130, part 2 of the Criminal Code, ‘fomentation of religious enmity’.
14.01.2008 Hantsavichy Authorities Interfere with Work of Independent Journalists
The journalist of a non-state newspaper Hantsavitski Chas Iryna Damaratskaya was not admitted to the awarding of the best pupils and teachers of the district that took place on 9 January in Hantsavichy culture palace.
14.01.2008 Journalists Seized for Interview with Oppositional Politician
After an interview with the member of the United Civil Party, an economist Pavel Daneika, the police seize the journalists Uladzimir and Halina Samoilaus and a cameraman Valery Buldyk. After the arrest and search policemen confiscated their equipment.
14.01.2008 Homel: KGB Searches Journalist Padsasonny’s Apartment
Officers of the local KGB department searched an apartment of member of the Belarusian Association of Belarus Siarhei Padsasonny in Homel on 12 January.
