International Federation of Journalists backs BAJ in court battle against Justice Ministry
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the decision of the Supreme Court of Belarus to throw out a lawsuit filed by the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) against the Ministry of Justice. The IFJ said in a statement that the Belarusian authorities "are trying to put legal handcuffs on BAJ in respond to the organization's uncompromised fight for the freedom of speech and the rights of journalists".
"It is absurd to accuse a journalist organization of the illegal issue of press cards. This is a clear attempt to hamper the freedom of the association of journalists", the statement stressed.
The Belapan news agency reminds that the Supreme Court rejected a complaint from BAJ on March 22. The Belarusian Association of Journalists was appealing a warning issued by the Ministry of Justice on January 13, 2010.
The organization was accused of mentioning "PRESS" on organization's IDs. Besides, the Ministry of Justice said that the Law Center for Media Defense at BAJ was not envisaged by the organization's charter.
"It is absurd to accuse a journalist organization of the illegal issue of press cards. This is a clear attempt to hamper the freedom of the association of journalists", the statement stressed.
The Belapan news agency reminds that the Supreme Court rejected a complaint from BAJ on March 22. The Belarusian Association of Journalists was appealing a warning issued by the Ministry of Justice on January 13, 2010.
The organization was accused of mentioning "PRESS" on organization's IDs. Besides, the Ministry of Justice said that the Law Center for Media Defense at BAJ was not envisaged by the organization's charter.
