[CivilSoc] The Mechanics of Repression: Belarus Election Update

Thu, 6 Sep 2001 11:05:33 -0700 (PDT)

This item was posted by Mikhail Doroshevich <[email protected]> to
the FSUmedia list: [email protected]
6 September - for immediate release
ALL OUT CAMPAIGN TO RE-ELECT LUKASHENKA:
NEW REPORT DETAILS AUTHORITIES' CRACKDOWN ON FREE PRESS ON EVE OF
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, today launches
The Mechanics of Repression: Presidential Election Update, a
follow-up to our May 2001 report1 on freedom of expression
surrounding the October 2000 parliamentary elections. On the eve of
the 9 September presidential elections, this report exposes a
full-scale state-sponsored assault on independent voices in the
country in order to guarantee re-election for the incumbent,
Alexander Lukashenka.
'We have a very fair policy concerning non-state media during the
election campaign, but if such publications carry on printing
inaccurate information, they will be shut down.'2
This remark by the Chair of the State Press Committee, betrays the
Belarusian government's blatant disregard for basic principles of
press freedom. Since the publication of our May report, the pattern
of media repression has intensified with non-state newspapers subject
to repeated tax and financial inspections, warnings, thefts of
essential equipment and seizure of their copy.
In light of emerging sordid allegations of state involvement in the
abduction and murder of three leading opposition activists, plus the
journalist, Dmitri Zavadsky, the government's campaign against the
non-state media appears aimed at suppressing the truth.
In an example of the direct role of censor the government now plays,
on 27 August, authorities moved swiftly to install a State Press
Committee official as acting director at Magic, the last remaining
non-state printing press. The effect was immediate: on 28 August,
40,000 copies of a special issue of Rabochi were seized and the
editor, Viktor Ivashkevich, charged with slander; the article had
featured allegations of corruption against the president. On 31
August, Magic printed a special edition of the independent newspaper,
Predprinimatelskaya Gazeta, with two blank sections.
There is no doubt that the state-sponsored campaign against the
non-state press coupled with severely limited access of opposition
candidates to state-owned media has failed to meet minimum democratic
standards in an election.
"The government of Belarus demonstrates complete contempt for its own
people in the way its censors news and stifles dissent. The
international community must be united in condemning Belarus' abject
failure to adhere to basic freedom of expression norms and must press
the Belarusian government radically to improve its record," said
Andrew Puddephatt, ARTICLE 19's Executive Director.
ENDS
For comment and further information please contact:
In Minsk:       (English and Russian) Sophia Pugsley on +375 29 623 8108
In the UK:      (English and Russian)       Malcolm Hawkes on +44 (0)
777
933 7130
(English) Sara Gaunt +44 (0) 20 7278 9292
Notes for Editors
1 The report The Mechanics of Repression: Presidential Election update
is on ARTICLE 19's website at
http://www.article19.by/publications/repressionupdate/index.html
<http://www.article19.by/publications/repressionupdate/index.html>
(English)
and http://www.article19.by/publications/mechanicsupdate/index.html
<http://www.article19.by/publications/mechanicsupdate/index.html>
(Russian).
2 Mikhail Podgainy, Chair, State Committee on the Press, 23 August 2001,
cited by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Newsline, an electronic news
bulletin, 24 August 2001.
Sara Gaunt
Europe Programme Officer
ARTICLE 19
Lancaster House
33 Islington High Street
London N1 9LH
Tel: +44 207 278 9292
Fax: +44 207 713 1356
[email protected]
www.article19.org