Belarusian Association of Journalists informs UN Rapporteur of persecuting Belsat TV contri-butors
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) has resorted to David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, over the case of two freelance journalists persecuted by the Belarusian authorities.
Kastus Zhukouski and Larysa Shchyrakova were accused of violating Article 22.9 of the Administrative Code (illegal production and distrubution of media products). The charges were based on news stories aired on our channel.
The organization stresses that Zhukouski andShchyrakova have been tried in courts of Homiel region 12 (!) times; heavy fines have been imposed on them.
After the recent trial, Zhukouski sewed his mouth in protest.
The BAJ is asking the Special Rapporteur to urge the Belarusian authorities to stop persecuting freelancers and punishing journalists for cooperation with foreign media.
See also: Pay if you reveal the truth: Fines for journalism (ENG video)
In February 2016, the Belarusian Association of journalists reported the Minsk police’s beating journalist Pavel Dabravolski to David Kaye. In their address, the organization also mentioned the critical situation the Belarusian freelance media workers have found themselves in.
Belsat.eu, following BAJ
