Return confiscated property to journalists!
The resolution was adopted which calls Belarusian authorities to:
(continuation) ...11.1.stop using the articles of the Criminal Code to restrict the right to seek, receive and impart information;
11.2. reform national media legislation and bring it in accordance with international standards; abrogate or place a moratorium on applying five articles of the Criminal Code, specifically Article 367 «Calumny in relation to the President of the Republic of Belarus», Article 368 «Insult of the President of the Republic of Belarus», Article 369 «Insult of the representative of the authorities», Article 369-1 «Discredit of the Republic of Belarus», and Article 193-1 that deals with activities on behalf of non-registered organization).
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11.3.<!--[endif]--> cease administrative persecution of journalists who cover mass public activity, especially during the electoral process.
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11.4.<!--[endif]--> ensure full and free access of all media to information regarding the pre-election process and holding of elections themselves.
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11.5.<!--[endif]--> abolish the state monopoly in the fields of media, printing, distribution system, radio and TV broadcasting.
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11.6.<!--[endif]--> abolish the prohibition of distribution and printing of independent newspapers, returning painting of Narodnaya Volia and Tovarishch newspapers to Belarus.
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11.7.<!--[endif]--> provide equal economic conditions for media outlets of different types of ownership, promoting the development of civilized media market.
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11.8.<!--[endif]--> return immediately the belongings confiscated during the searches in journalists’ flats.
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11.9.<!--[endif]--> discuss with a full range of media organizations all of its new legislative initiatives concerning media, including Internet.
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11.10. <!--[endif]-->guarantee the freedom of accreditation of correspondents and opening official representation offices of foreign media and to introduce a principle of accreditation on request.
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11.11. <!--[endif]-->co-operate with national and international civil society initiatives for monitoring the situation in the field of media and the freedom of expression in Belarus.
12. The Conference calls on the European Union, the Council of Europe and OSCE to:
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12.1.<!--[endif]-->support the establishment of European Monitoring Council on Media in Belarus.
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12.2.<!--[endif]-->encourage new initiatives, including joint programmes, towards the development of civil society, the provision of independent information and the promotion of European values among the Belarusian population.
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12.3.<!--[endif]-->contribute to an efficient legal defense system for journalists, working for independent media.
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12.4.<!--[endif]-->continue with efforts for training and support to journalists in European media standards.
Full text of the resolution is attached.
(с) Photo by Wojciech Sariusz-Wolski
