(IFJ/IFEX) – In the coming days, the Parliament of Belarus will debate proposed amendments to the Press Law. The amendments would increase the level of governmental control over the media through the power to ban publications and broadcasters, stop the importation and exportation of information “which may harm the political and economic interest of the […]
(IFJ/IFEX) – In the coming days, the Parliament of Belarus will
debate proposed amendments to the Press Law. The amendments would
increase the level of governmental control over the media through
the power to ban publications and broadcasters, stop the
importation and exportation of information “which may harm the
political and economic interest of the republic” and prevent the
importation of foreign publications and broadcasts. This latter
provision is of particular relevance since many Belarusian
independent newspapers are published outside the country and
could therefore be banned. The main television station is also
based outside the country.
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 2 July and 27 June 1997**
Background Information
According to an IFEX alert originated by the Committee to Protect
Journalists, on 25 June 1997, the lower house of Parliament
adopted the latest draft amendments to the Belarusian Press Law.
The law was drafted unexpectedly without the participation of any
independent journalists or lawyers (see IFEX alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
not be sanctioned by any democratic body
the authorities the tools with which to stop the free flow of
information both within Belarus and from outside the country to
the population inside
and to reconsider the Press Law itself, which is already very
restrictive
Appeals To
His Excellency Alexander Lukashenko
President
Minsk 220010, Belarus Republic
Fax: +375 172 23 58 25 / 22 38 72 / 22 32 84Valentin Agolets
Minister of Interior
Minsk, Belarus Republic
Fax: +375 172 23 99 18Yuryy Zakharenka
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minsk, Belarus Republic
Fax: +375 172 26 12 47
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
