Appeal to the World Association of Russian Press RUSSIANIRELAND

Dear Colleagues,
The situation faced by Belarusian journalists is unprecedented in the modern world. 12 representatives of media are included by the EU-officials in the list of persons whom prohibited from entering EU member states. This action is contrary to the «European Charter for Press Freedom», adopted at Hamburg on 25 May 2009 Item 3 of the Charter states: «The right of journalists to gather and disseminate information and opinions should not be threatened, restricted, or be cause for sanctions.» That is adopted by the EU decision is contrary to the documents, which at one time they were also approved.
We can declare with confidence that the Belarusian journalists were sanctioned by the EU solely for the reason that defend their point of view before, during and after the election campaign for President of the Republic of Belarus. And this point of view came not like the political leadership of the EU.
In our view, in this case we are talking about undisguised pressure on the Belarusian mass media in order to force them to change the editorial policy and the views of individual journalists. EU sanctions are not only directed against those media personnel who are included in the «black list», but also give a clear and unequivocal message to other journalists about what a harsh response may ensue if the information and opinions that they spread will conflict with the position of the EU-leadership.
We believe that the imposition of such sanctions is a dangerous precedent for the entire journalistic community.
We appeal to you, dear colleagues, for support. We are convinced that a consolidated response of the journalistic community to prevent further reckless moves by politicians, including the leadership of the EU, aimed at putting pressure on journalists.

И данные журналистов под санкциями:

Iakoubovitch Pavel Izotovich

Editor-in-chief of the newspaper «Sovietskaia Belorussia»

23.09.1946

pasport — MP 2621182

Hardziyenka Siarhei Aliaksandravich

Deputy editor of the newspaper «Sovietskaia Belorussia»

01.03.1970

pasport — MP 1763622

Shadryna Hanna Stanislavovna

Deputy editor of the newspaper «Sovietskaia Belorussia»

23.09.1975