Iryna Slavnikova, a former Belsat TV representative, was sentenced to 5 years in prison term amid a crackdown.

Belarusian journalist Katsiaryna Andreyeva was sentenced to eight years in prison on an alleged charge of treason.

At least three Belarusian women journalists stood trials this week as the government continues its onslaught on the independent press after mass protests.

Aksana Kolb was arrested on April 20, 2022, as authorities conducted a new wave of arrests of independent journalists and activists.

Imprisoned journalist Katsyaryna Andreyeva has been charged with “high treason” after a so-called secret investigation.

The police barged into the home of blogger Alena Yanushkouskaya’s adopted daughter to inquire about the journalist.

Gazetecilikte Kadın Koalisyonu (CFWIJ), dünyanın dört bir yanındaki kadın gazetecilere yönelik bütün tehdit ve saldırılar için Gazetecilere Karşı İşlenen Suçlarda Cezasızlıkla Mücadele Günü'nde bir kampanya başlattı. CFWIJ, çevrimiçi karalama kampanyalarıyla mücadele eden gazetecilere karşı işlenen suçlara yönelik yeni yasal düzenlemeler yapılması için çağrıda bulunuyor. Dünya genelinde 92 ayrı ülkeden kadın gazetecilerin karşı karşıya kaldığı zorlukları kaydeden CFWIJ, gazetecilerin güvenliğini sağlamak için caydırıcı tedbirler talep ediyor.

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists the Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support to women and LGBTQI journalists worldwide, who face mistreatment and abuse because of both their gender and their reportage. Disparaging attitudes towards gender in the society at large infiltrate the profession as well. As we call for an end to impunity against journalists, we must be cognizant that while attacks on journalists go unpunished, gendered attacks on women journalists often also go unnoticed. The CFWIJ stands to correct this. We stress on the impunity for gendered discrimination, and rhetoric, that women journalists face, not just in the field but at home, at the workplace and in society at large for this colors the kinds of violations they face.

Irina Slavnikova, a Belsat TV representative, was illegally detained at Minsk airport as she arrived with her husband from Egypt before being sent to prison for 15 days by court. Under charges of sharing “extremist” content on her social media, the journalist was held in temporary detention at Akrestsin Street in Minsk, along with her husband, and then moved to jail.

Belarus authorities have launched yet another criminal investigation against independent news agency Tut.by. This latest case is the continuation of the persistent legal harassment the Coalition For Women In Journalism has observed against the free press and freedom of information in the country. The Investigative Committee of Belarus announced on October 7 that a number of Tut.by staff members are being investigated for inciting public disorder. The CFWIJ is concerned as no specific number nor names of journalists against whom authorities are taking action have been given. We demand law enforcement authorities stop targeting independent voices and stop engaging them in one case after another. This persistent legal harassment is extremely concerning for the free press to thrive in the country.

State authorities searched the apartment of ex-TV broadcaster Katerina Pytleva on September 7. The journalist fled the country earlier this year after facing threats of a possible criminal case against her. The CFWIJ is alarmed by the persistent harassment of women journalists in the country. We have recorded several threats and violations against press freedom, particularly involving women journalists. The mounting threats to journalists under Lukashenko’s regime have created a repressive environment for press freedom. The CFWIJ urges the present government to break this pattern.

The editor of the "Green Portal", Yanina Melnikova was detained for 72 hours and yet not released. Security forces raided the journalist's house and took Yanina for interrogation. She is still under custody. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands authorities to release her immediately. Journalism is not a crime.

Chief editor of BelaPAN news agency, Iryna Leushyna, was detained on August 18, along with accountant Katsyarana Boyeva and former director Dzmitry Navazlylau. Police searched the homes of staff members and also raided the agency’s offices in Minsk. The detainees were subsequently sent to prison. Reportedly, the news websites BelaPAN.by and BelaPAN.com have also been suspended since the raid.

The Supreme Court ruled to dissolve the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) on August 27 after closing a complaint filed by the Ministry of Justice. In the verdict, the court stated the arguments provided by the BAJ representative were not satisfactory. The decision maintained that the defence misunderstood the law. The CFWIJ stands in solidarity with the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The BAJ is an independent organization operating since 1995 and has gathered over 1300 members from the media sphere. The organization has earned an international reputation for its commitment to uphold press freedom.

Former journalist Ksenia Lutskina has been in prison for over eight months. Earlier, she was accused of large-scale tax evasion. Ksenia was first implicated in the investigation against the Belarusian Press Club, but she is now facing new criminal charges. There is little information about the case since the defense lawyer signed a non-disclosure agreement.