President Alexander Lukashenko
220016, Minsk, K. Marx str., 38
Fax: (375 17) 226 0610
Your Excellency,
International PEN, the world association of writers representing members in over 96 countries, has followed the state of free expression for writers and journalists in Belarus for a number of years. Over this time it has observed a pattern of harassment and judicial action against the independent press which has led it to conclude that the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, is far from being respected in Belarus.
Of particular concern to PEN today is the use of criminal prosecution of journalists charged with libelling and insulting the President and state officials. International PEN would like to underline that it recognises the right of an individual to bring a case of libel or defamation to a civil court where his or her reputation has been damaged. However it does not consider criminal prosecution, leading to imprisonment, as an appropriate punishment.
Furthermore the use of criminal defamation laws by leading public figures against those who criticise them can only open the government concerned to accusations of using its legislative processes as a means of censoring those who criticise it.
International PEN is further concerned by a new draft law on the press that will make registration of new media more difficult and give the Belarusian authorities ever greater control over printed and electronic media. PEN fears that this law, if adopted, will, in effect, eliminate freedom of expression in the country.
As a state party to the United Nations International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, Belarus has pledged to protect the right to freedom of expression. International PEN calls on the Belarus government to stand by its commitments and:
Repeal Articles 367, 368, 369 of the Criminal Code as a means of censoring those who criticize the authorities;
Review the draft law on the press so as to bring it in agreement with international standards and allow media operate freely and without harassment in Belarus.
International PEN thanks Your Excellency for your consideration of this appeal, and welcomes any comments that you may have.
Yours sincerely,
Homero Aridjis
International President
International PEN
Eugene Schoulgin
International Chair
Writers in Prison Committee