Aksana Kolb was arrested on April 20, 2022, as authorities conducted a new wave of arrests of independent journalists and activists.

Imprisoned journalist Katsyaryna Andreyeva has been charged with “high treason” after a so-called secret investigation.

The police barged into the home of blogger Alena Yanushkouskaya’s adopted daughter to inquire about the journalist.

On this International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists the Coalition For Women In Journalism extends support to women and LGBTQI journalists worldwide, who face mistreatment and abuse because of both their gender and their reportage. Disparaging attitudes towards gender in the society at large infiltrate the profession as well. As we call for an end to impunity against journalists, we must be cognizant that while attacks on journalists go unpunished, gendered attacks on women journalists often also go unnoticed. The CFWIJ stands to correct this. We stress on the impunity for gendered discrimination, and rhetoric, that women journalists face, not just in the field but at home, at the workplace and in society at large for this colors the kinds of violations they face.

Irina Slavnikova, a Belsat TV representative, was illegally detained at Minsk airport as she arrived with her husband from Egypt before being sent to prison for 15 days by court. Under charges of sharing “extremist” content on her social media, the journalist was held in temporary detention at Akrestsin Street in Minsk, along with her husband, and then moved to jail.

Belarus authorities have launched yet another criminal investigation against independent news agency Tut.by. This latest case is the continuation of the persistent legal harassment the Coalition For Women In Journalism has observed against the free press and freedom of information in the country. The Investigative Committee of Belarus announced on October 7 that a number of Tut.by staff members are being investigated for inciting public disorder. The CFWIJ is concerned as no specific number nor names of journalists against whom authorities are taking action have been given. We demand law enforcement authorities stop targeting independent voices and stop engaging them in one case after another. This persistent legal harassment is extremely concerning for the free press to thrive in the country.

State authorities searched the apartment of ex-TV broadcaster Katerina Pytleva on September 7. The journalist fled the country earlier this year after facing threats of a possible criminal case against her. The CFWIJ is alarmed by the persistent harassment of women journalists in the country. We have recorded several threats and violations against press freedom, particularly involving women journalists. The mounting threats to journalists under Lukashenko’s regime have created a repressive environment for press freedom. The CFWIJ urges the present government to break this pattern.

The editor of the "Green Portal", Yanina Melnikova was detained for 72 hours and yet not released. Security forces raided the journalist's house and took Yanina for interrogation. She is still under custody. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands authorities to release her immediately. Journalism is not a crime.

Chief editor of BelaPAN news agency, Iryna Leushyna, was detained on August 18, along with accountant Katsyarana Boyeva and former director Dzmitry Navazlylau. Police searched the homes of staff members and also raided the agency’s offices in Minsk. The detainees were subsequently sent to prison. Reportedly, the news websites BelaPAN.by and BelaPAN.com have also been suspended since the raid.

The Supreme Court ruled to dissolve the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) on August 27 after closing a complaint filed by the Ministry of Justice. In the verdict, the court stated the arguments provided by the BAJ representative were not satisfactory. The decision maintained that the defence misunderstood the law. The CFWIJ stands in solidarity with the Belarusian Association of Journalists. The BAJ is an independent organization operating since 1995 and has gathered over 1300 members from the media sphere. The organization has earned an international reputation for its commitment to uphold press freedom.

Former journalist Ksenia Lutskina has been in prison for over eight months. Earlier, she was accused of large-scale tax evasion. Ksenia was first implicated in the investigation against the Belarusian Press Club, but she is now facing new criminal charges. There is little information about the case since the defense lawyer signed a non-disclosure agreement.

Carola Schneider, a correspondent for Austria's national broadcaster, was detained by the police along with her cameraman. The incident took place in Minsk on August 9. Police brought the pair to the station, though both Carola and her cameraman were released after some time. The CFWIJ condemns the ongoing crackdown against journalists and media organizations in the country. Violations and threats against women journalists working for the free press have become a routine pattern. CFWIJ calls on President Lukashenko's government to end the harassment of women journalists.

Journalist Inessa Studzinskaya, affiliated with Radio Svaboda, was restricted from leaving the country. Inessa discovered the travel ban against her after finding her name on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website. The radio journalist, along with two of her colleagues, was detained on July 26. According to reports, the authorities searched their homes and destroyed the network’s editorial offices in Minsk. CFWIJ condemns the persistent impediments to press freedom in the country. We have repeatedly demanded action to ensure a safe and fair environment for women journalists in Belarus.

Nasta Pilyugina, a blogger and host of the "dzigital" podcast, was detained in Minsk on the morning of July 29. She left her home around 11 a.m. and was carrying her laptop in her car. Sometime after her departure, she was presumably apprehended. The authorities searched her residence but shared no information regarding her location or where she was detained. CFWIJ condemns the unjustified detention of the blogger and demands the police release her. We continue to monitor the persecution of women journalists in Belarus.

Police raided the homes of at least 15 journalists, six of whom were women. The journalists’ laptops, phones and equipment were also confiscated. Continuing crackdown against independent news outlets in Belarus is sharply escalating. A new wave of mass raids jeopardizes the lives of journalists. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) closely monitors the incidents in the country. We urge Lukashenko’s administration to end the oppression against journalists.