Archive

16.05.2023

May 21 is the Day of the Political prisoner in Belarus: show your solidarity! Updated with events schedule

Viasna human rights center has designated May 21 as a Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus. On this day two years ago, political prisoner Vitold Ashurak died in the Škloŭ penal colony No. 17. No criminal proceedings have been initiated following his death, while the situation with political prisoners has significantly deteriorated. Last year, the Day of Political Prisoners theme was the yellow tag used in colonies to mark inmates. It was Ashurak who first talked about it in his letter. This year human rights defenders propose to make the theme of the Day of Solidarity with political prisoners in Belarus letters and the right to correspondence, which the Belarusian authorities have deprived hundreds of political prisoners. Viasna calls on people to express solidarity with all political prisoners on May 21, draw the attention of the Belarusian and international community to their problems, and once again demand the release of all political prisoners from the authorities. The Belarusian Association of Journalists joins the events! The authorities are trying to destroy independent journalism in Belarus. Support the Solidarity Marathon!

11.05.2023

Support for Pavel Belavus's family

  How much is needed? 15,000€ — The amount collected will go to pay for lawyers, as well as to buy the necessities of life and to cover household expenses for Pavel's family.

11.05.2023

Journalism is not a crime! Video of solidarity action organized by BAJ and LUJ in Vilnius

33 names, 33 journalists behind bars, 33 portraits in the center of Vilnius... In order to draw attention to the situation of the media, on May 3 Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists started a marathon in solidarity with imprisoned Belarusian journalists.

11.05.2023

“I stay so that those who have been imprisoned or forced to leave have a place to return to”. Motivations of journalists who choose to stay in Belarus

On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, we interviewed colleagues and friends who remain in Belarus. They talked about their hopes and dreams, explained how they take care of themselves, and what helps them not to get demoralized and keep working. Names have been changed for safety reasons.

04.05.2023

Representatives of European journalistic unions spoke in support of their Belarusian colleagues on May 3

The participants of the conference of the European Federation of Journalists joined the marathon of solidarity with Belarusian colleagues, which was launched by the Belarusian Association of Journalists and the Lithuanian Union of Journalists in Vilnius.  

03.05.2023

"We stand by the truth, we stand together!" A marathon of solidarity with the imprisoned journalists started in Vilnius

Thirty-three names, thirty-three journalists behind bars, thirty-three portraits in the center of Vilnius... This number is particularly dramatic today, on World Press Freedom Day. In order to draw attention to the situation of the media in Belarus, Belarusian and Lithuanian journalists held a solidarity rally. This is the first action within the whole solidarity marathon, which is to be held in many countries of the world. 

02.05.2023

The website and social media pages of Intex-press, the most popular Baranavichy newspaper, were recognized as extremist

We are talking about a large non-governmental regional editorial office Intex-press.by, as well as its media pages on Instagram, Twitter, VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Facebook, Tiktok, Telegram, and YouTube. 

28.04.2023

“I couldn’t even withdraw the money.” Belarusian journalists’ bank accounts still blocked in Ukraine

Owning a bank account in Ukraine as a Belarusian journalist is still problematic. After the war started, they were frozen, and attempts to withdraw cash were mostly unsuccessful, said journalist Ales Minau, who has been living in Kyiv since late 2021.