BAJ sounds alarm over deteriorating freedom of speech in Belarus

December 1, BPN. The situation with freedom of speech and expression in Belarus continues to be one of the worst in Europe, said Barys Harecki, deputy head of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), at a forum on free media co-hosted by the Lithuanian Seimas, BAJ and Lithuanian Union of Journalists.

Currently, 32 Belarusian media workers are behind bars, facing huge prison sentences and complete isolation, he said.

Even though many journalists had already left Belarus in fear of persecution, human rights groups recorded over 50 raids on their homes and more than 40 arrests in 2022, Harecki noted.

“The legal mechanisms which could help our colleagues defend their rights do not exist in Belarus,” he said. “Trials are held behind closed doors, while the public has no access to information about charges against journalists.” He also noted a lack of qualified defense for journalists during trials.

Authorities blacklisted all major independent media outlets as extremist groups and prosecute those who collaborate with them, Harecki added.

Over 400 journalists have left Belarus in fear of persecution in the last few years, according to the BAJ.