We are seriously concerned about the further pressure being put on human rights in Belarus. Following on from recent developments concerning TUT.by, and the detention of its journalists in Minsk, the legislative changes of 24 May have further raised our concerns by adding new punitive measures to the existing limitations on freedom of the media and freedom of assembly.

These freedoms are at the heart of the European human rights system and Belarus, as a European country, should respect them. We therefore call on the Belarusian authorities to revoke these legislative amendments. Journalists must be protected all over Europe, including in Belarus. We call on the Belarusian authorities to swiftly release all detained journalists. The fate of journalist and activist Roman Protasevich is of particular concern and we are following his situation very closely.