Belarusian authorities have recently declared the Belarusian service of the German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle as an “extremist” organization, banning all its activities in the country. This means that anyone associated with Deutsche Welle’s Belarusian service could face a seven-year prison sentence. The move is seen as part of the government’s efforts to suppress dissent and control freedom of speech in the country. Similar labels have been applied to other media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the independent TV channel Belsat.
Peter Limbourg, Director General of Deutsche Welle, denounced the decision, calling the accusations against the Belarusian service “unfounded.” The Belarusian Association of Journalists has also criticized the government’s actions, stating that Belarus currently has the worst freedom of speech situation in Europe, with comparisons made to North Korea. The crackdown on media outlets comes in the wake of mass protests in Belarus in 2020 following disputed presidential elections which led to widespread allegations of fraud.
More than 35,000 people have been arrested as a result of the crackdown, with reports of brutal treatment of protesters by the authorities. Prominent opposition figures have been imprisoned on lengthy sentences, while others have been forced to flee the country. Deutsche Welle’s Belarusian service is one of many international organizations that have drawn the ire of the Belarusian government due to their reporting on human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent.
The Belarusian Association of Journalists reports that there are currently 36 journalists imprisoned in Belarus, highlighting the dangers faced by media professionals in the country. The targeting of independent media outlets like Deutsche Welle is seen as part of a wider campaign to control the flow of information and suppress opposition voices within Belarus. The move has been condemned by international human rights organizations and governments, who have called for the release of imprisoned journalists and an end to the crackdown on free speech within Belarus.
Deutsche Welle’s Belarusian service, based in Bonn and funded by the German government, plays a crucial role in providing independent news and information to the people of Belarus. The ban on its activities represents a significant setback for media freedom in the country and raises concerns about the safety of journalists working within Belarus. The international community has called on the Belarusian government to respect press freedom and uphold the rights of journalists to report freely without fear of reprisal or censorship.
As the crackdown on media outlets continues in Belarus, concerns remain about the safety and well-being of journalists operating within the country. The Belarusian government’s labeling of Deutsche Welle as an “extremist” organization is seen as a further attempt to stifle dissent and limit access to independent information. Calls for the release of imprisoned journalists and an end to the targeting of media outlets have been echoed by human rights organizations and governments around the world, underscoring the importance of press freedom in promoting democracy and transparency.
