Debates

Thursday, 5 July 2012 - Strasbourg

Freedom of expression in Belarus, in particular, the case of Andrzej Poczobut (debate)

  Zuzana Brzobohatá (S&D), in writing. – (CS) Human rights violations are, unfortunately, a depressing everyday reality in Belarus. The arrest of Andrzej Poczobut is one of many cases showing how the Belarus Government treats journalists from the free media. I utterly condemn the arrest of Andrzej Poczobut, because denial of liberty solely on the basis of a statement of opinion goes against all democratic principles and is a gross breach of Belarus’s international legal obligations. In view of the fact that Belarus is the only European country to allow the death penalty, I am very concerned about further developments in the country as far as human rights activists are concerned. The political situation is, in my view, very dangerous, particularly for active members of civil society in Belarus, and I would like to emphasise the importance of protection and support for activists from the European institutions. I call on the Belarus Government to release political activists from jail and to end the repression of independent and opposition journalists.