Belarus: Independent Weekly Novy Chas Editor Aksana Kolb Arrested On Unspecified Charges
Location: Belarus, Minsk
Date: April 21, 2022
Aksana Kolb was arrested on April 20, 2022, as authorities conducted a new wave of arrests of independent journalists and activists. Aksana, an editor at the independent weekly Novy Chas, told her relatives that she is being held in a temporary detention center for up to 10 days. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on Belarusian authorities to immediately release Aksana and other activists and stop targeting those who dare to speak out.
Belarusian authorities took Alsana Kolb on April 20, 2022, for interrogation and later that day the journalist was allowed a call to inform her relatives that she is being held in a temporary detention center, where she is to be kept for up to 10 days. The authorities have yet to disclose the basis of her arrest and the charges on which she is being kept, according to Novy Chas.
At least 16 people have reportedly been arrested in Minsk, Grodno, Borisov, and other Belarusian cities, in recent days. Alexander Yaroshuk, the president of the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions and another top union leader, Alexander Bukhvostov, are among those arrested. The accusations against them haven't been made public. ABC News reported that Belarusian authorities declared several unions as “extremist” organizations shortly before the arrests.
This is not the first time that the senior journalist has been subjected to such treatment at the hands of the authorities. In October 2021, Novy Chas office and Aksana’s home were raided. She was questioned and released after signing a non-disclosure agreement. Novy Chas ceased publishing its print version in August 2021. Following the raid, the outlet’s website was blocked, but it has since resumed publishing on a new domain.
According to CFWIJ’s data, Belarus saw the highest number of violations against women journalists in Europe in 2021 with at least 46 cases recorded. The country also ranked among the worst jailers of women journalists with more than 23 incarcerated. recorded the highest number of violations against women journalists in Europe.
Following massive protests after the disputed presidential elections, in which Alexander Lukashenko was handed a sixth term, Belarus has presented anything but ideal working conditions for journalists. Detained journalists have been kept in horrifying conditions, raising concerns globally. Members of the independent press have also been beaten and some have been deliberately targeted with rubber bullets.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls for the immediate release of Aksana Kolband condemns the continued imprisonment of press members in Belarus. We call on the authorities to drop all charges against the journalist and allow her to report freely without fear of government retaliation. We reiterate, independent journalism is not a crime but is essential for the progress of any society. The authorities must ensure conditions conducive for independent journalists to work in the country.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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