Repeated blocking of websites in Belarus a worrying trend, says OSCE media freedom representative

VIENNA, 26 January 2018 – Following the blocking of Charter97.org in Belarus, a popular website on current affairs in the country, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today called on the authorities to ensure unrestricted access to the Internet.

“The repeated blocking of access to websites in Belarus over the past few months is a worrying and disturbing trend. These kinds of reprehensive actions are detrimental to the enjoyment of the basic human right to receive and impart information, and to media freedom,” warned Désir.

On 24 January Internet providers in Belarus started to block access to Charter97.org, following an order of the Ministry of Information later announced on its official website. The authorities explained the blocking by citing violations of national interests of Belarus in unspecified materials on the website. This followed similar blocking of access to another popular website, Belaruspartisan.org, in December 2017.

“The authorities have a responsibility to ensure that citizens in Belarus have not just unhindered access to the Internet, but also access to information online. The OSCE commitments, shared by Belarus, do not allow for broadly defined “national interests” to restrict the exercise of the fundamental human right to access information,” said Désir.

In the past, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has also raised the issue of blocking of online resources and the legislative norms that permit this (See www.osce.org/fom/132866).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.