2023-11-10 21:13:28
Earlier, she was in contact with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Vladimir Makey. After his death, the Belarusian authorities refused to communicate with her.
Tereza Ribeiro answered Radio Svaboda’s questions about support for independent Belarusian mass media and imprisoned journalists in Belarus.
Teresa Ribeiro (Teresa Ribeiro) from Portugal is the fifth representative of the OSCE on issues of media freedom. She has significant political, diplomatic, human rights and media experience. She worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, held the position of president of the National Human Rights Commission. Worked in mass media, international media organizations.
– First of all, I would like to ask you about your impressions of the conversations you had with Belarusian journalists recently. What struck you most about their stories?
– First of all, their courage, courageous work, the way they never stop informing their audience. What, perhaps, impresses me the most is their dedication to the journalistic profession, the way they sacrifice their personal lives and comfort for it.
The fact that a journalist has to leave his native country in order not to stop his work is a reason for great respect, and it is very impressive.
— 33 journalists of various mass media are currently in prisons in Belarus, they suffer because of the attitude of the prison administration towards them, they have no ties with their relatives. I want to ask you: How can the OSCE help them? Do you have your own channels?
– You know, I would say that one of my most important resources is the ability to use my voice.
The mandate of the media freedom representative has two dimensions. One is to identify violations of obligations that participating states have voluntarily assumed.
OSCE representative on media freedom, Teresa Ribeiro, during an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda. Vilnius, November 10, 2023
And, of course, fighting journalists, imprisoning them, forcing them to keep silent is contrary to the obligations and principles of the OSCE in the media sphere. These are the obligations that the participating countries have taken upon themselves and adhere to voluntarily. And I use my mandate to raise my voice against such violations. So this is an important part of my job.
And another important part is to help participating countries bring their practices into line with the obligations they have voluntarily undertaken within the framework of the OSCE.
Unfortunately, I do not have contacts with the Belarusian authorities to perform this part of the work. I have tried many times to conduct an open dialogue with the authorities, but unfortunately, I did not succeed.
– You asked, and they refused?
– I had conversations with the authorities before, but unfortunately, I was unable to move forward.
— But Belarus is still a member of the OSCE, and they could do something to prove their presence, to answer your letters…
– Yes, definitely. I never give up, I not only continue to identify violations, but also try to convince the participating states to conduct a constructive dialogue. But it is still not possible.
OSCE representative on media freedom, Teresa Ribeiro, during an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda. Vilnius, November 10, 2023
— That is, since the beginning of your mandate in January 2021, you have not visited Belarus?
– No. I need an invitation, and this visit must be meaningful. Of course, I am always ready to come.
– Can you contact the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleinik to invite you?
– It is possible. However, I am not very convinced that they will be happy to see me. You know, for such a visit there should be interest from the country as well. If there is no interest, why such visits? You can’t just say, “Here, let me come.” If there is no interest, then there is no meaning.
– I said that there are 33 journalists-political prisoners in Belarus, which is perhaps a record for the whole of Europe, unfortunately. But we have another anti-record: 20 Belarusian independent mass media have been called extremist organizations. This list was compiled by the KGB and other bodies of Belarus, including Radio Svaboda.
In your opinion, would it be possible to somehow protest this practice at the international level? Maybe the OSCE or some other organization could take it on?
– You know, you have to be realistic. Indeed, it is my duty to state that this does not correspond to the obligations, it is unacceptable from the point of view of international standards, from the point of view of the principles and obligations that have been undertaken within the framework of the OSCE. Of course, there are limits to what we can do. And yet the voice matters. And we need to mobilize a lot of voices and say that this is unacceptable, it is against international standards.
OSCE representative on media freedom, Teresa Ribeiro, during an interview with the Belarusian service of Radio Svaboda. Vilnius, November 10, 2023
In my opinion, the voice is a powerful tool to attract attention. Let’s not underestimate the power of the voice. It has weight. We need to be aware of the limits of what we can do, but at the same time we need to keep working and use whatever tools we have at our disposal. This is very important.
– Can you describe the situation in Belarus in general? Is media freedom dead there or not yet?
– I hope not. It is very difficult to qualify what is happening. I know that the situation is very sad now. But let’s not underestimate the power and willpower of people. And that’s why I don’t want to say that media freedom is dead there, because there are people who are still faithful and devoted to media freedom, freedom of expression. You have to remember that, and you have to believe that you can have a voice and give voice to these people.
— What can the OSCE help to restore media freedom, to help political prisoners, journalists who are currently in prisons in such a difficult situation? Can they rely on this organization?
– Again, let’s not underestimate what we can do. And not just us: we need a joint effort to keep these issues on the agenda. It keeps politicians’ attention on such issues. That’s why it’s important.
Let’s not minimize. Otherwise, we will say: “Well, it’s not worth anything.” No, it’s worth a lot.
And that’s important, and that’s why mandates like the mandate of the representative on freedom of the media are viewed very suspiciously by some countries, because they know that these things are stronger than they appear to the general public.
And they can really mobilize community efforts, raise a voice that will be heard and contribute to the formation of international public opinion.
It is important to draw the attention of the political world to these things, which are contrary to international law in the field of human rights.
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