International rights groups condemn crackdown on regime critics in Belarus

May 22, BPN. Twelve journalistic and human rights organizations signed a joint statement condemning “the [Alaksandr] Łukašenka regime’s ruthless crackdown on civil society and independent media.”

Issued on May 21, the day of Belarusian political prisoners, the statement stresses solidarity “with courageous Belarusians who persist in their fight for freedom.”

In the shadow of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Belarusian authorities stepped up persecution on politically-motivated grounds turning it into a weapon for Łukašenka “to strengthen his autocratic rule,” it noted. 

The opposition in Belarus faces closed-door show trials, trumped-up charges and harsh jail sentences, with independent media outlets banned or blocked, the signatories said. 

“The ruthless hunt for journalists” turned Belarus into one of the most dangerous countries in Europe for them with 33 reporters currently behind bars, rights groups noted.

Artists, writers and musicians are also held as political prisoners for criticizing the authorities or even for publishing books in the Belarusian, they added.

Human rights defenders called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and pledged “unwavering support to the brave people of Belarus repressed for exercising their vital human rights and journalistic work.”

Article 19, Index on Censorship, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Press Institute (IPI), the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), PEN America, PEN International signed the statement among others.