From: amnesty@amnesty.oil.ca
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2000 15:15:35 -0500
Message-Id: <200003272015.PAA12077@amnesty.oil.ca>
To: amnesty-L@oil.ca
Subject: BELARUS: Journalists detained in attempt to silence dissent
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* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *
News Service 058/00
AI INDEX: EUR 49/11/00
27 March 2000

Belarus

Journalists detained in attempt to silence dissent

By detaining around 30 journalists covering a peaceful demonstration in
Minsk on Saturday, the Belarusian government has again attempted to stem
international criticism of its intolerance of dissent, Amnesty
International said today.

"This clumsy attempt to silence local and foreign journalists adds to
the Belarusian government’s already embarassing record on human rights
", Amnesty International added.

The Russian embassy in Minsk reportedly intervened to secure the release
of several television reporters working for the Russian television
broadcasters NTV, ORT and RTR. Reporters from ORT and RTR have
complained that expensive camera equipment was damaged when they were
detained. Reporters from the Belarusian service of Radio Liberty and
Associated Press were also among the journalists detained.

The majority of the journalists detained work for Belarus’ independent
newspapers. They have been very vocal in their opposition to President
Lukashenka’s increasingly unpopular rule and the poor human rights
situation in the country. Representatives from the independent Nasha
Svaboda, Nasha Niva, Kurier and Belorusskaya Delovaya Gazeta newspapers
were released after several hours.

"Amnesty International has frequently criticized the Belarusian
government for its harassment of independent journalists and periodic
clamp-downs on the free press. On Saturday it showed the world that its
intolerance of independent thought has reached new levels", Amnesty
International said.

Between 400 - 500 demonstrators were detained by the police, who were
patrolling the centre of Minsk in large numbers. Amnesty International
has received reports that police officers used significant amounts of
force to detain some protestors. A number of people have complained of
being knocked to the ground, beaten with truncheons, kicked by police
officers and verbally abused. Most of the detainees were reportedly
released between two and three hours later.

"By suppressing the right of Belarusians to peacefully exercise their
right of assembly on Saturday and the right of journalists to report it,
the authorities violated basic human rights".
ENDS.../
Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street,
WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom
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