Natallia Radzina Addresses To EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn

The Editor-in-Chief is asking the European Commissioner to help to terminate the blockage of Charter97.org.

Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn arrived in Belarus on January 30. During the meeting with the leaders of the Belarusian political parties he received a letter from Editor-in-Chief of the Charter97.org Natallia Radzina.

His Excellency

Commissioner for European

Neighbourhood Policy and

Enlargement Negotiations

Dr. Johannes Hahn

January 30, 2018

Warsaw

Dear Dr.Hahn,

I’m writing to you to express my deep concern and to draw your attention to the situation with freedom of speech in Belarus. On January 24 without any preliminary warning the authorities of Belarus, namely the Ministry of Information, ordered the blockage of popular independent Belarusian website Charter97.org in Belarus. The Ministry didn’t provide any specific reasons for this decision.

It is yet another heavy blow against freedom of speech in Belarus and the right to access to information of the people. Charter97.org, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, is read by millions in and outside Belarus and is strongly committed to the principles of democracy and respect of human rights. The blockage of the site is condemned by many international organizations, journalists, politicians and human rights defenders worldwide.

Despite numerous demands in Belarus and international appeals the blockage wasn’t lifted and continues during your visit to Belarus and your meetings with top officials.

In its relations with Belarus, the European Union always stresses the significance of respect for human rights and basic freedoms for any progress in this regard.

Knowing your personal commitment to the European values I urge you to demand to put an immediate end to the blockage of Charter97.org in Belarus and to stop repressions against independent media.

Don’t let charter97.org become yet another political prisoner in Belarus, derived of the right to communicate with the people.

Sincerely,

Natallia Radzina

Editor-in-Chief

www.charter97.org