February 18, 2021, Minsk: Security forces raided the homes of several journalists and human rights activists earlier this month. Offices of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) and Human Rights Center Viasna were also searched without any real grounds, in what appears to be a fresh crackdown on civil liberties by the authorities. Freelance journalist Larysa Shchyrakova was amongst those targeted.

On February 16, 2021, Belarusian security forces raided the homes of several civil society members. Other than Larysa Shchyrakova, the police also searched the homes of Andrei Bastunets, Aleh Aheyeu, and Barys Harecki from the Belarusian Association of Journalists, as well as freelance journalists Ales Burakou and Anatoly Gotovchits. Human rights defenders Andrei Paluda, Natallia Satsunkevich, Dzmitry Salauyou, Nikalai Kvantaliani, Hanna Bagdanovich, Yauheniya Parashchanka were also targeted. And so were members of independent trade unions. 

During the raids, their equipment was confiscated, and in some cases, money was seized as well. These widespread raids are being viewed as being indicative of another wave of repression in the country. These raids are said to be linked to a criminal case opened under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code: “organisation and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order or active participation in them”. It is yet unknown if any journalist, human rights activist, or trade union member has been detained by the police.

This is not the first time that journalist Larysa Shchyrakova has been targeted by state authorities. In October 2020, she was detained preventively to ensure that she was unable to cover the protest rally against the presidential election results. After spending three days in detention, on October 12, the court deemed her guilty of being a participant in the protest and fined her. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is very concerned about these growing cases of state overreach. Several journalists and human rights workers have been detained or imprisoned for doing their jobs and practicing their civil liberties. The actions of the Belarusian state is condemnable and CFWIJ urges the global community to take notice of the human rights violations rampant in the country.