Jerzy Buzek on the arrest of a Bielsat TV journalist and the heavy fine levied on the Polonika company
"I learned of the detention of Bielsat TV journalist Iwana Szulhy by the Belarusian police in Minsk with grave disquiet. Mr Szulhy's arrest, in all likelihood under a false pretext, and her subsequent holding at an unknown location throughout the night constitute an unacceptable breach of media freedoms and human rights. Neither we Members of the European Parliament nor any of our fellow citizens can countenance such behaviour.
What is still more alarming is the fact that, almost at the same time, a court in Grodno fined the Polonika company USD 25 000 for engaging in unlawful charity work. The size of the fine will force the company to close down. I believe it to be no coincidence that the firm is run by Andżelika Borys, the head of the Union of Poles in Belarus, which the Belarusian authorities refuse to recognise. It is unacceptable for courts in Belarus to rule without having heard any witnesses for the defence.
Both these events are yet another serious body blow to the dialogue that the European Union has been conducting with Belarus over recent times and are totally at odds with the spirit in which that dialogue was engaged.
I strongly urge the Belarusian authorities to comply with democratic standards and show full respect for journalists' rights. This is an absolute prerequisite for further cooperation between the EU Member States and Belarus."
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