A/HRC/29/43 81. In the first half of 2014, the authorities arbitrarily detained at least 17 journalists. Charges included “hooliganism”, while penalties included courts imposed fines and up to 10 days of detention. 82. The Prosecutor’s Office and the State Secretary Committee continued to issue warnings to Belarusian journalists for cooperating with media registered in a foreign country, mostly on the grounds that they had worked without accreditation. 48 In 2014, the Prosecutor’s Office issued warnings to six local freelance journalists because they worked with foreign media outlets.49 83. On 2 December 2014, a freelance journalist, Andrei Myaleshka from Grodno, was fined 6 million roubles – the third fine in 2014 for the “illegal exercise of journalism in Belarus” – for his work with Radio Razyja, which broadcasts to Belarus from Poland. 50 On 25 September 2014, Maryna Malchanava in Bobruisk was fined for the publication of an article on the website of BelsatTV, a satellite television channel. 51 Tamara Shchepetkina is awaiting trial for similar charges.52 84. Despite the requests made for many years by both Radio Razyja and Belsat for official accreditation of their journalists in Belarus, they have constantly received refusals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On 4 September 2014, the Supreme Court prohibited BelsatTV from using the trademark “Belsat” when broadcasting to the territory of Belarus and on the channel website.53 85. The Special Rapporteur notes that, on 16 September 2014, police inspected the apartment of journalist Ales Burakou and seized his computer equipment, reportedly in response to the publication of an article by him on the website of broadcaster Deutsche Welle without accreditation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 54 86. In June 2014, the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), commenting on the court decision against Andrei Myaleshka, expressed concern at the increasing number of fines imposed on Belarusian journalists for work without accreditation. 55 J. Freedom of peaceful assembly 87. The Special Rapporteur notes that the authorities in Belarus have continued to adopt further restrictions on public gatherings, including by broadening the definition of “mass events”; establishing criminal liability for organizing such events in violation of the law; new restrictions on where demonstrations may be held; and banning the dissemination of information about public gatherings until the authorities have approved them. 56 88. The broadening of the legal interpretation of mass events is a cause for grave concern. For example, “unsanctioned events” that trigger administrative liability include 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 Coalition report (see footnote 4), p. 9. Human Rights Watch, UPR Submission (see footnote 34). Civic Belarus, “The price of freedom of speech”, 11 December 2014. Belarusian Helsinki Committee et al, Analytical report (see footnote 47). Civic Belarus, “The price of freedom of speech” (see footnote 50). Belarusian Helsinki Committee et al, Analytical report (see footnote 47). Ibid. OSCE, “OSCE representative calls on Belarusian authorities to repeal accreditation requirements for journalists”, 17 June 2014. Human Rights Watch, UPR Submission (see footnote 34). 15