Belarus: CFWIJ condemns the harassment of women journalists and crackdown against the free press

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July 9, 2021 - Free press is facing extreme challenges in the country. Several women journalists are facing persecution in the form of unjustified detention, arrest and raids at apartments. Tatiana Smotkina, Anastasia Zanko and Alesia Latsinskaya are a few of those affected journalists. It's become a pattern in the country to target critical voices. CFWIJ condemns this ongoing practice against freedom of the press as the state is becoming extremely regressive towards free media and press. We also urge Belarusian authorities to stop abusing their power and let the journalists do their job fearlessly. 

According to the latest reports, authorities searched the online journalist, Anastasia Zanko. Details of this search were not shared. The state authorities also targeted journalist Tatiana Smotkina in Glubokoye. 

Correspondent for local media bobr.by, Alesia Latsinskaya also endured harassment as her apartment was raided by the police. Alesia has signed a non-disclosure agreement with KGB (State police) authorities and so she cannot share much about what she suffered. She was released after signing the NDA. Alesia shared that she cannot say anything if there was a criminal case, and if she had any status in that.

Journalist and media trainer from Minsk, Hannah Liubakova shared the news in her tweet, stating, "Belarus searches of journalists' apartment continue: security officials came to OnlinerBY journalist Anastasia Zanko and Brest journalist Maksim Khliabets." She further said that, " Online was the second most popular media outlet after Tut.By. It was only a question of time that police would attack it.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the persistent attack against free press and women journalists in the country. We demand a safe and free environment for journalists. CFWIJ has documented several cases of threats and violations against women journalists that can be followed on our in-focus page. Unfortunately, the state is enjoying impunity against all the authoritative abuse it's practising against critical voices.