“Pahonya” Journalists Send Letter to Freimut Duve

Journalists of the liquidated independent newspaper “Pahonya” Mikola Markevich and Pavel Mazheyka have sent a letter of support to the OSCE commissar on liberty of mass media Freimut Duve (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to issue visas to Mr. Duve and his senior advisor for 1-2 September):

“Dear Mr. Duve,

We are extremely indignant at the actions of the Belarusian Foreign Affairs Ministry that has groundlessly refused to issue a visa for You. We feel shame for our Belarusian officials who on order of their governor neglect the international commitments of our country, cynically ignore the moral norms and drag Belarus into the bog of self-isolation.

We think that such actions of the Belarusian authorities witness that You and Your colleagues have the right vision of the liberty of word in Belarus and adequately evaluate it. It also shows that the Belarusian authorities have no other arguments except for rude and unreflecting force.

Be sure, Belarus has not only illiterate officials, but also people, who need freedom and democracy. You can always rely on our appreciation and support.

We hope that soon we will welcome You in the free, independent European Belarus.