Head Of US Mission To OSCE Demanded From Belarusian Authorities To Unblock Charter97.org

The persecution of independent media is contrary to the principles of freedom and security.

The head of the United States Mission to the OSCE, the former US ambassador to Minsk, Michael Kozak, spoke at the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.

In his speech, the head of the US delegation noted:

– The USA believes strongly in defending press freedom. The politically motivated targeting of journalists, fettering of the media outlets and other restrictions on the media in the name of national security is contrary to the principles of freedom and security.

Recently, the Belarusian security services raided the offices of independent news sites for allegedly accessing the state-owned news portal. Two journalist was subsequently charged for serious cyber crimes that appeared disproportionate to the alleged violation. We also call on a government to stop the selective blocking of online news outlets such as Charter97.org, – Michael Kozak said.