We are concerned by authorities’ searches and arrests of journalists this week at several independent media organizations’ offices. The United States values freedom of the press as a key component of accountable, democratic governance. Independent media form an integral part of a stable, prosperous, and democratizing Belarus. We urge the government of Belarus to keep its international commitments by respecting fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression and of media. The United States will continue to closely monitor this situation and joins calls for the government of Belarus to immediately release all journalists to guarantee the rights of citizens to free speech and media freedom.
