Belarus Freelancer Files a Complaint to the UN HRC
On June 28, Belarusian freelancer from Mahilou Aliaksandr Burakou filed a complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee asking to recognize that Belarus state violated his rights guaranteed by article 19 of the ICCPR.
The journalist also asks the UN HRC to recommend that the Belarusian government bring the national Law on Mass Media in compliance with international laws, in particular that the freedom of expression (article 19 of the ICCPR) were observed.
The journalist was fined for around EUR 450 on administrative charges of 'illegal production and distribution of mass media production' (article 22.9, part 2 of Belarusian Code on Administrative Offences). The charge was based on the fact that Aliaksandr Burakou was author to the article 'Along the Smuggler's Trail. Do the Russian Sanctions Work in the Border Area?' published on the DW.de website on August 25, 2014. The Minsk Regional Court and the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal.