(CPJ/IFEX) – Pavel Zhuk, publisher of the thrice-weekly Minsk opposition newspaper “Svaboda”, told CPJ that members of the government administration informed his editorial staff on 20 November that President Lukashenko has issued an order to close down the paper. On 20 November, the paper received fresh warnings from the State Press Committee that it could […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – Pavel Zhuk, publisher of the thrice-weekly Minsk
opposition newspaper “Svaboda”, told CPJ that members of the
government administration informed his editorial staff on 20
November that President Lukashenko has issued an order to close
down the paper. On 20 November, the paper received fresh warnings
from the State Press Committee that it could face criminal
prosecution for violating the country’s press law with a recent
series of articles criticizing your administration. In its two
latest warnings, the body claims “Svaboda” hoped to stir up
social discord and hostility, particularly between citizens and
the government, with several articles comparing the recent round
of arrests of officials in Belarus to Soviet dictator Joseph
Stalin’s purges of 1937.
Zhuk and “Svaboda”‘s chief editor, Ihar Hermianchuk, were
scheduled to appear in an administrative court on 24 November to
hear whether they would be charged on similar grounds put forth
in two previous warnings by the State Press Committee. The body
accused the paper of violating the press law by publishing a
satirical article and poem that besmirched the president’s honor
and dignity. Zhuk feared the court might rule to shut down
“Svaboda”.
Zhuk said “Svaboda” also received notice last week to vacate its
office space by 25 November. He said that the president had
issued a special order to take over the four-story building just
outside the city centre, which also houses a private institute.
“Svaboda” had moved into the building only a year ago after it
was evicted from its previous offices.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the President:
“Svaboda”
Belarus’ international commitments to the Helsinki accords, the
U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, and other agreements that
guarantee press freedom
process and stop harassing “Svaboda”, which was only exercising
its right to freely express its views, as guaranteed by the
Belarusian Constitution
rights of citizens to obtain information, and the closure of the
popular publication would represent an infringement of their
rights
Appeals To
His Excellency Aleksander Lukashenko
President of Belarus
Minsk, Belarus
Fax: +375 17 226 0610
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
