Thursday 28 March 2024 | 19:33

Miklós Haraszti is concerned about the attack of the Belarusan authorities on the Internet

29.10.2015  |  Society   |  Piotr Kuchta,  EuroBelarus
Miklós Haraszti is concerned about the attack of the Belarusan authorities on the Internet

“Independence of mass media in Belarus is impossible”, - such depressing conclusion is given in the report on the freedom of expression of opinions of the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus.

Miklós Haraszti, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, evaluated the situation with the freedom of expression of opinions in Belarus. The report of the Special Rapporteur is to be presented on November 29, 2015 at the UN general Assembly.

As a rule, the UN Special Rapporteur issues two reports a year. One concerns the general situation; the second one is more concentrated on some complex of human rights and freedoms. For example, the former thematic report concerned electoral rights; whereas this one that is to be presented on November 29, 2015 is dedicated to the right for freedom of expression and touches upon such issues as freedom of mass media, freedom of expression online, and freedom of press”, - Aliaksei Kazliuk, the expert of the Legal Transformation Center “Lawtrend”, in the talk with the “EuroBelarus” Information Service.

Aliaksei Kazliuk notes that the report of Haraszti is not a mere compilation and recital of violation of right of expression: “Haraszti has experience in working as an OSCE representative for freedom of media; i.e. freedom of expression is the topic of his professional interest. And, of course, he is competent in it as an expert. Besides, he gets regular reports of Belarusan and international human rights organizations”.

The work of the Special Rapporteur means search for problems that exist and suggestions for the government of how to resolve these problems: “it is according to this scheme that Haraszti is acting; but, unfortunately, Belarusan government isn’t listening to his conclusions and recommendations and doesn’t recognize the warrant of the Special Rapporteur”. Let us note that it is up to now that Haraszti is prohibited to enter Belarus.

Assessing the situation in complex, Haraszti is talking about the presence of the system that suppresses rights for self-expression in Belarus. Considering that it has been under construction for more than 20 years, it can be named stable and efficient system of suppressing the freedom of speech in Belarus, starting from total control over the state mass media and ending with the pressure on independent media. This is expressed in limitation of possibility of economic action of these media and in limitation of their maintenance”, - Aliaksei Kazliuk says.

The lawyer notes that in this report Miklós Haraszti noted particular attention “to the problem that first revealed itself this year after the adopted number of changes to the law on media in December 2014 and other normative documents that limit the freedom of expression in the Internet”.

The problem of blocking websites and limiting information on websites. The Special Rapporteur honestly says that the last stronghold of freedom of expression – Internet – is now subject to serious limitations on the part of the state, - says Aliaksei Kazliuk. – The year of 2015 is the time of crackdown in the Internet. Everything that was before that, for example, in 2010 is just approaches and attempts to reach the freedom of speech in the Internet. But all these attempts can in no way be compared to what the Belarusan society got now. Perhaps in practice it doesn’t look completely horrible, but this is, probably, just because there have been no serious public shocks, when all innovations in this sphere can be and will be used by the state. The mechanisms of suppressing freedom in the Internet themselves are prescribed by the law and will be working; sooner or later they will be turned on. We witnessed that even before the law was introduced – let’s remember the notorious blockings of websites during the new-year’s devaluation. Now from the point of view of the state, these actions can be performed absolutely legally”.

The lawyer of “Lawtrend” notes that Miklós Haraszti has detailed recommendations for amending the situation, while the competence of the Special Rapporteur is such that “we can take the report and put the situation to the norm”. “But let’s be realists; we will hardly see the realization of these recommendations in our country in the near future,” – says Aliaksei Kazliuk.

In conclusion Aliaksei Kazliuk emphasizes: “The report of Miklós Haraszti contains consistent position. And we value that, as, unfortunately, we see somewhat different approach to it on the part of other international actors. For example, the approach of Andrea Rigoni, rapporteur of the PACE's Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy – his report isn’t presented yet; it only exists as a draft now. But we cannot wait to see it and hope that the assessments of PACE rapporteur won’t be different from the facts that are gathered by the Belarusan human rights defendants and that form the basis for international structures, including the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Belarus. While Miklós Haraszti uses these facts very consistently and gives evaluation that doesn’t depend on the current political situation, we cannot really be sure that the documents of PACE Special Rapporteur will have the same information. We have two special rapporteurs, one of whom is constantly preparing objective reports but is banned of entering the EU; the other happens to be in Belarus, meets officials and deputies, discusses something with them and tells something to human rights fighters in the lobby, but prepared no official document yet. We can only hope that Rigoni will be coordinating and correlating his assessments with the facts provided by the Belarusan human rights fighters and that are noted in the documents prepared by Miklós Haraszti”.

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.
“It is our big joint work”
“It is our big joint work”
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The Forum was devoted not so much to the outputs as to the challenges and prospects after the creation and signing of local agendas.
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
In Stoubcy, they talked about universal design and conducted pilot monitoring of two urban sites accessibility.
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
In Babruysk, wheelchair users are fighting discrimination.
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
What results has the campaign "Agenda 50" given, what helps to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the regions?
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
Experts in Valožyn have determined that the quality of people’s life depends on their awareness.
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
There are being implemented three projects under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign in the city of Babruysk.
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
In Ščučyn, people with disabilities learned to be leaders and to advocate their interests.
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.