Independent Belarusian news websites blocked
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 December 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Independent Belarusian news websites blocked, 21 December 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be132915.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 21, 2014
Several independent news websites have been blocked in the former Soviet republic of Belarus, where the government exerts close control of news media.
The government did not say who was responsible for the blockages that began on December 21.
But a statement from the private news agency BelaPAN said "the decision to block IP addresses can be made only by the authorities."
Three of BelaPAN's websites were blocked, along with the news website Solidarnost and the website of the human rights organization Khartiya-97.
Parliament passed legislation last week allowing the state to close any Internet news site that receives two warnings about content in a year.
The law is not due to enter into force until January 1.
Authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka is expected to run for reelection next autumn after 21 years in power.
Based on reporting by AP and BelaPAN
Link to original story on RFE/RL website