PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Media Freedom Representative expresses deep concern about detention of journalist Serguey Satsouk in Belarus

VIENNA, 26 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep concern today about the detention of Serguey Satsouk, director and editor of the news website Ezhednevnik (ej.by) in Belarus, reportedly because of his earlier investigations into alleged corruption by the Ministry of Health Protection.

Satsouk was detained during a special operation near a shopping center yesterday afternoon. He has been held for three days, reportedly under suspicion of accepting a bribe in August 2019 while investigating a story on corruption related to the import of medical drugs to Belarus. Satsouk was also critical in his most recent analysis of the country’s coronavirus response.

“I am very much concerned by the detention of Serguey Satsouk, who is known for his previous reporting on corruption issues in the health sector. Satsouk also recently published articles on the coronavirus crisis. Journalists should not be intimidated, prosecuted or detained for reporting on issues of public interest and on the COVID-19 situation. In Belarus, like in all countries, journalists have a key role to play in reporting on the pandemic and in providing important information to the public,” said Désir.

The Representative recalled the joint statement that he published last week with David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Edison Lanza, IACHR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, which emphasized that: “Human health depends not only on readily accessible health care. It also depends on access to accurate information about the nature of the threats and the means to protect oneself, one’s family, and one’s community”. The Representative and two Special Rapporteurs also stated that: “The right of access to information means that governments must be making exceptional efforts to protect the work of journalists. Journalism serves a crucial function at a moment of public health emergency, particularly when it aims to inform the public of critical information and monitors government actions.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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