RSF files ICC complaint for Łukašenka’s crackdown on journalists

January 24, Pozirk. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity committed by Alaksandar Łukašenka against Belarusian journalists, its statement says.

The announcement comes days ahead of the main voting day in Belarus’ seventh presidential election on January 26, where Łukašenka, in power since 1994, wants to secure another term in office.

“The electoral farce will likely proceed without a hitch, free from the counterweight of independent media, ensuring Łukašenka’s victory over four puppet candidates,” Jeanne Cavelier, head of RSF’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk said.

“For five years, the Belarusian regime has systematically persecuted independent voices, starting with journalists,” she added, referring to the politically-motivated reprisals ongoing since the disputed 2020 election.

The Belarusian ruler is responsible for an “unprecedented crackdown” on journalists and the free press, the group noted, citing about 590 cases of arbitrary arrests of journalists with at least 43 reporters held behind bars.

Imprisonment, persecution and forced displacement of Belarusian journalists for their professional activities may constitute crimes against humanity, it said.

The RSF called on the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to investigate and prosecute those responsible for systematic harassment of reporters and independent voices in Belarus to help combat “glaring impunity.”  

Belarus is holding its seventh presidential election from January 21 to 26 in a purged political landscape amid a new wave of crackdown on regime critics.

The presidential bidders are Łukašenka, in power since 1994, his supporters Aleh Hajdukievič, Alaksandar Chižniak and Siarhiej Syrankoŭ. Another candidate is Hanna Kanapackaja, a former member of the United Civic Party and an MP from 2016 to 2019, who also ran for president in 2020. She positions herself as a “democratic alternative,” yet criticizes Łukašenka’s exiled or jailed opponents rather than himself.

Belarus has not held a single free and fair election since 1996 by the standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The previous 2020 presidential race was marred by fraud and police brutality against peaceful protesters.

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