The European Union says a new Internet decree in Belarus is a «step in the wrong direction» at a time when Brussels is scrutinizing Minsk’s record on issues like free speech and freedom of the press.

Ivan Shulha, an independent Belarusian journalist and a member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, was charged with minor hooliganism and sentenced to an administrative arrest for 10 days.

3 February 2010 a group of police officers tried to enter a flat, rented by an official representative of Belsat TV Channel in Minsk Mihas Yanchuk. As a result of the incident an independent journalist Ivan Shulha, a member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, was detained. 4 February Ivan Shulha was brought to court and charged with minor hooliganism.

The providers will be urged to disable access to «the Web-resources, containing the banned information» and the «extremist» information in particular. The Center’s official referred to the international experience of banning access to the «Al-Qaeda» Web-resources at that.

Reporters Without Borders regrets that President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree establishing extensive control over Internet access and online content. The decree is due to take effect on 1 July.

1 February 2010 the President of Belarus Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed his Decree No. 60 called "On Measures to Improve National Segment of Internet Network". The decree provides for certain measures of regulation of Internet in Belarus. It will come into force 1 July 2010.

Presidential edict No. 60 «About the Measures on Improvement of
National Segment of Internet» was signed by A. Lukashenka on February
1, 2010.

Usievalad Yancheuski, the Head of Chief Ideological Department at the Presidential Administration and Aleh Pralaskouski, the Minister of Information of Belarus delivered quite controversial statements during the ministerial Board Meeting on the results of work in 2009 and the perspectives of activity in 2010 on January 29, 2010.

The Assembly notes with concern the official warning addressed by the justice ministry of Belarus on 13 January 2010 to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, challenging its internationally recognised work in the interests of journalists, media and media freedom.

A range of non-state socio-political newspapers are still deprived of possibilities to launch cooperation with the "Belposhta" and "Sayuzdruk" state monopolist press distribution networks. No less than 7 socio-political newspapers are facing problems with getting officially registered in Belarus.

"The Internet has to be regulated as it is done everywhere in the world", told Natallia Piatkievich, the First Deputy Head of Presidential Administration.