belarus executive summary - US Department of State

BELARUS 18
The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press; however, the
government did not respect these rights in practice and enforced numerous laws to
control and censor the public and the media. Moreover, the all-dominant state
press almost exclusively propagated views in support of Lukashenka.
Freedom of Speech: Individuals could not criticize the government publicly or
discuss matters of general public interest without fear of reprisal. Authorities
videotaped political meetings, conducted frequent identity checks, and used other
forms of intimidation. Wearing masks, displaying unregistered flags and symbols,
and displaying placards bearing messages deemed threatening to the government
or public order are also prohibited.
The law also limits free speech by criminalizing actions such as giving information
to a foreigner about the political, economic, social, military, or international
situation of the country that authorities deem to be false or derogatory.
Freedom of Press: The government restricted press freedom and censored the
media. Authorities warned, fined, detained, interrogated, or jailed members of the
media and harassed bloggers who publicly criticized the government. Under the
law the government may close a publication after two warnings in one year for
violating a range of restrictions on speech and the press. In addition regulations
give authorities arbitrary power to prohibit or censor reporting. The Information
Ministry can suspend periodicals or newspapers for three months without a court
ruling. The law also prohibits the media from disseminating information on behalf
of unregistered political parties, trade unions, and NGOs.
The Information Ministry continued to deny registration to many independent
media outlets, i.e., privately owned media perceived to be publishing information
independently of government control. In spite of the lack of registration,
independent media, including newspapers, magazines, and Internet news Web
sites, sought to provide objective and independent coverage of events. However,
they operated under repressive media laws, and most faced discriminatory
publishing and distribution policies.
State-owned media, which was extremely biased and served as a propaganda arm
of the regime, dominated the information field and maintained the highest
circulation through generous subsidies and preferences. There is no country-wide
private television. The state-owned postal system, Belposhta, and the state-owned
kiosk system, Belsayuzdruk, continued to refuse to deliver or sell at least 10
independent newspapers that covered politics.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011
United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor