OSCE Media Freedom Representative deplores detention of journalists in Belarus
VIENNA, 17 May 2021 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, deplores the latest imprisonment of several journalists in Belarus.
Today, according to reports Lyubov Kasperovich, a journalist with Tut.by news portal, was placed for 15 days of administrative arrest for “participation in an unauthorized event”. She was detained on 14 May while covering a trial against a group of people.
On 15 May, journalists Alexander Burakov, a freelance reporter for German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, and Vladimir Laptsevich, a journalist with local online news portal Mogilev Region (6tv.by), according to reports were placed for 20 days of administrative arrest for “repeated participation in an unauthorized event”. Both journalists were detained on 12 May outside a courthouse in the eastern city of Mogilev while reporting on the trial of opposition activists.
On 14 May, freelance photojournalist Tatyana Kapitonova was placed for ten days of administrative arrest for “participation in an unauthorized event.” She was apprehended the day before, in Minsk, allegedly for reporting on a flower-laying event.
The Representative reiterated her call to the authorities to reverse the negative trend and bring their policies and practices in compliance with their OSCE commitments.
“The way the authorities in Belarus treat media workers remains deeply disturbing and, along with other worrying developments regarding media freedom in the country in recent months, it seriously jeopardizes the fundamental human right to freedom of expression,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the authorities to stop harassing journalists and release all those imprisoned.”
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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.