Belarusian Association of Journalists expresses solidarity with the members of the editorial Board of the weekly newspaper of Belarusians in Poland - “Niva” – and protests against the methods used by the authorities towards them.

We have been following the change of the policy in Poland towards Belarusians with anxiety lately. The checks made by the Highest Control Chamber in the weekly newspaper “Niva” and at schools where the Belarusian is studied make an impression of a planned punishment of the centers of Belarusian minority.
The accusation of the “Niva” editorial board by Belastok Regional Office of Prosecutor is considered to be a form of threatening of Belarusian community not to participate in any for of social activity. The representatives of polish authorities and institutions give an exact signal to Belarusians before the elections showing that they possess means and especially trained staff able to abuse with impunity any person expressing independent ideas, accuse y means of rich amount of means of repressions used in previous years. The rise of such activity against Belarusian minority became visible after national census in 2002 when almost 50000 non-polish people.
This is the first time since 1970s when the state system is used so straightly for limitation of Belarusian national life.
History shows that always when in Belarus an anti-Belarusian movement starts the same political process is initiated in Poland. Unfortunately we have to stress that even joining EU has not changed this tradition.
Belarusian Association of Journalists expresses solidarity with editorial board of weekly edition “Niva” and protests against the methods used by the authorities towards them.

Belarusian Journalists Association
Bielastok, September 29, 2004

“SPRING” INFORMATION DEPARTMENT