BAJ representative takes part in UN HRC’s 53rd session
The representative of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Volha Khvoin, took part in an event held during the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council titled “Freedom of Opinion and Expression in Belarus is in Question”.
In her speech, Volha Khvoin reminded the audience of imprisoned Belarusian journalists and the cruelty of the state system. In particular, she mentioned the recent situation of videographer Viachaslau Lazarau and his wife Tatsiana Pytsko: first, they arrested Viachaslau and then Tatsiana, leaving their one-year-old daughter in an orphanage.
Viachaslau Lazarau was charged with promoting extremist activities, while Tatsiana Pytsko is accused of creating or participating in an extremist formation.
The BAJ representative stressed that the community now faces two fundamental tasks: demanding the release of journalists from detention and the protection of the media sector, professional staff, and editorial offices.
At the session, Special Rapporteur Anais Marin presented her report on recent developments, challenges, and opportunities for freedom of opinion and expression and the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus.
The event was aimed at informing the international community about the latest developments regarding restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression in Belarus.
The participation of a representative of the Belarusian Association of Journalists in the UN event made it possible to remind the international community once again of the real situation of journalists, media workers, and civil society in Belarus. The event was organized by the Permanent Missions of Poland, Lithuania, Germany, and Japan to the UN.
The representative of the Atlantic Council, Anna Lubakova, who was present at the event, noted that Lukashenka’s regime is trying to attack those in exile and those inside the country and is making great efforts to atomize people. Alina Koushyk, a representative of the United Transitional Cabinet, who was also present at the meeting, addressed the propaganda and aggressive promotion of Russian standards. She stressed that a free Belarus and Ukraine are a guarantee of Europe’s security.
Repression of journalists and media in 2023, list of imprisoned journalists