BAJ is accused of violating the legislation on associations. The Ministry of Justice suspects irregularities in rental contracts related to BAJ’s regional branches. If the ministry’s request is not answered within a three-day deadline, BAJ could be dissolved by a court decision of the Supreme Court.
In reality, BAJ is unable to produce the documents required by the Ministry of Justice, as its premises were sealed by the Ministry of Interior on 14 July.
“This is an ambush! A real trap is closing in on BAJ,” said EFJ President Mogens Blicher Bjerregård. “The Ministry of Justice is demanding documents from BAJ even though the organisation is no longer allowed access to its offices. The Lukashenko regime has organised the irregular situation that will give it the pretext to liquidate the organisation. We call on the international community to react!”.
“What is happening in Belarus is very serious,” added EFJ General Secretary Ricardo Gutiérrez. “We call on all journalists in Europe and all EFJ-affiliated journalists’ organisations to denounce to their governments this unprecedented attack. The EFJ also calls on international organisations, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to react vigorously. We cannot stand by and watch the dismantling of the only professional organisation defending ethical, free and independent journalism in Belarus!”
BAJ is the only independent representative organisation of journalists in the country. It has 1,200 members and is a member of the IFJ and EFJ, which call on their affiliates to mobilise by alerting their governments.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The Belarusian government must stop its smear campaign against our affiliate immediately. BAJ is a bona fide trade union, a fierce defender of press freedom and what is at stake here is another attempt to silence those who dare to speak up against the regime. This is another shameful act of intimidation from President Lukashenko and the international community must mobilise massively to denounce the situation on the ground."