Belarusan journalists send official statement to Crimean authorities

In the statement Belarusian Association of Journalists urges to stop the violence and to ensure normal conditions for journalists’ work.

“Pressure on journalists has increased ahead of the March 16 referendum in the Crimea. Every day information appears on detentions and attacks against our colleagues”, is said in the statement published at baj.by. The official statement was sent to the Supreme Council and to the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists, a situation when journalists are prevented from performing professional duties is inadmissible. “Those who use violence against journalists demonstrate their genuine intentions – to stop information undesirable for certain political circles”, the adopted statement says.

The journalists also “underline that hot spots are visited not by “adventurers”, but also by professional reporters whose work is to provide people with the fullest picture of events”.

“Violence against journalists not only fails to stop information, but also incites rumours, provokes false stories and accelerates tensions”, is said in the statement adopted by the Board of BAJ.

In conclusion, the Belarusian Association of Journalists calls on all people and organizations involved in the conflict to put an end to the violence and to ensure normal conditions for journalists work.