Courageous belarusian journalist – born in November 1993 – currently a political prisoner in Belarus. You can read something about her life leading up to her career as a journalist here.
Mrs. Andreeva has been arrested in November 2020, sentenced at first for 2 years in prison and then – in a closed trial in July 2022 – sentenced to 8 years in prison. The charges are invented by the Belarusian authorities under Lukashenko – who see freedom-loving and democracy-supporting people such as Mrs. Andreeva as “Nazis”.
In November 2020 she had been filming live from an appartment, when belarusian police forces violently attacked protestors who gathered in a square in Minsk to commemorate the death of Raman Bandarenka who was beaten to death by police three days prior. She was arrested during that activity.
Later Belarusian film director Mara Tamkovich made a fictional film “Na żywo/Live” about the events of this day from the perspective of the courageous journalists. The film was awared the Freedom prize in 2023. The film is invented, yet imagined on the basis of the true events of that day. An interview with the director shares more details about this. This is a political film, reminding of the fight for a free and democratic Belarus that is still ongoing and that can use our support.
Free speech and access to information in Belarus
In March 2021, Human Rights Watch reported that the Belarusian authorities had only escalated their repression of international journalists. It has also been documented that journalists have been arbitrarily detained, sometimes beaten, and were imposed severe fines and prison sentences on politically motivated charges, revoked their media credentials and raided their homes and offices. The crackdown on journalists is part of the government’s efforts to silence media reporting on human rights violations and peaceful, countrywide protests [s protesters have been demanding fair elections and justice for abuses.
Reporters Without Borders also labeled Belarus as the most dangerous country for journalists, due to the government repression against independent journalists peacefully doing their legitimate work.
A longer report on the situation in Belarus I found here.
As our attention moves is fickle and the news of the day catches our attention, I want to remember the fight for freedom in Belarus. The courage of so many people in that country, to stand up after dictator Lukashenko and his collaborators attempted to steal the election and to protest peacefully, requesting to respect the voice of Belarusian people, was as inspiring. Especially women showed their determination, as the team of election-winners were three women and man women came out to lead the demonstration – being aware of the utter police brutality in that country.
The sad result for the moment is that state violence has repressed freedom for the moment. Putin of Russia has played a key role in this, as there was a moment when he announced his support for the beleaguered police and military in Belarus.
Again – a society divided in Europe – those in the police, who want to associate with Russia and who long for a return to Soviet greatness. And those who want a modern European future for Belarus, a free nation on equal footing with other European nations.
And one side is not playing fair.