“Reporters without Borders” Protest against Suspension of the Rabochaya Salidarnatsts

On June 8 the international organization “Reporters without Borders” addressed the Belarusian minister of Information with an open letter in conjunction with suspension of the Rabochaya Salidarnatsts newspaper. The organization considers suspension of the newspaper an “element of systematic repression against the independent and opposition press”.

“Reporters without Borders” remind that in their annual report’2004 they condemned Belarusian authorities’ attempts of administrative pressure on the independent press. They stress the fact that the name of Alexander Lukashenka is on the list of 37 state heads which they consider enemies of the press. According to the organization’s estimates, in 2003 the authorities persecuted over 10 newspapers, suspended over 15 independent editions and shut down several NGOs which defended the rights of mass media, reports BAJ press service.