Archive
31.12.2023
Belarusian media workers behind bars. Portraits
As campaigning for the 2020 elections began, the Belarusian authorities launched a war on journalists and independent media. They were stripped of their press cards, beaten, shot with rubber bullets, arrested and detained for weeks, and charged with criminal offenses. Since then, journalists have been arrested on more than 500 occasions. The Belarusian Association of Journalists monitors all cases of harassment of journalists and media workers. Below, you will find information on those imprisoned on criminal charges.
07.06.2023
Mother of imprisoned journalist Larysa Shchyrakova dies
Larysa Shchyrakova’s mother was 80 years old. She had a severe form of COVID-19 last year and suffered many complications. In her last months she could not move by herself and was bedridden. Larysa’s father, 88, took care of her, RFE/RL Belarus reported.
07.06.2023
Free speech in Belarus: fighting for the truth in a climate of oppression (15th June)
The event will be held in-person and online 15th June. The simultaneous interpretation from English to Russian will be available for those joining online.
05.06.2023
Torch of Solidarity with Jailed Belarusian Journalists Passes to Copenhagen
At the congress of the Danish Helsinki Committee, influential human rights activists voiced their support for media workers who remain behind bars in Belarus.
05.06.2023
"For them, the events in our region are a conflict between Russia and satellite countries." Belarusian journalist talks about visiting South Korea
Two years ago, journalist and documentarian Mikhail Arshynski received an award for a film about the 2020 political campaign at the Hinzpeter Awards Documentary Film Festival in South Korea. And now he has been invited back to the country that until recently was a brutal autocracy and very much resembled modern Belarus. Our colleague shared with BAJ his impressions of Asian democracy, his vision of the situation in our region, and the role of the media.
31.05.2023
The Union of Journalists of Finland held a rally in support of Belarusian political prisoners who worked in media
The Council of the Union of Journalists expressed support and solidarity with the Belarusian colleagues who are now behind bars.
31.05.2023
Belarusian journalist Yauhen Merkis sentenced to 4 years in prison
In response to a Belarusian court sentencing journalist Yauhen Merkis to four years in prison on Tuesday, May 30, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the statement.
31.05.2023
Homel journalist and local history expert Yauhen Merkis was sentenced to 4 years
On May 30, the Homel Regional Court announced its verdict for journalist, historian, and local history expert Yauhen Merkis who received 4 years of imprisonment in a enhanced regime colony. Judge Aliaksei Khlyshchankou found Merkis guilty under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 361-4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus ("Assistance to extremist activity"), as well as under Part 3 of Article 361-1 of the Criminal Code ("Participation in extremist formation").
