EU condemns closure of Belarusian Association of Journalists

The European Union has condemned the 27 August order by the Belarusian regime to close the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the largest independent journalists’ organisation in the country.

Reacting to this decision, the EU External Action Service issued a statement saying the closure was part of the systematic and continued repression of all independent voices in the country. 

“There are 27 media workers among the 649 Belarusians who have been recognised as political prisoners,” the statement says. “In May, the largest independent media platform tut.by was silenced, and criminal cases against its management and journalists were opened. In July, the relentless crackdown on non-governmental organisations and human rights defenders continued, including raids on private houses, and many citizens were arrested, facing serious charges.”

The statement says that the EU strongly condemns this ongoing repression and calls on the authorities in Belarus to stop it, adhere to its international commitments and obligations within the UN and OSCE, and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of their own population.

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Press release