Michael Scanlan: Tightening of Internet regulations is another step towards limitation of freedom

2009 was not an easy year for Belarusian-American relations because of absence of reforms in Belarus.

Such a statement was made by Michael Scanlan, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States in Belarus, in his interview to BelaPAN.

Unfortunately, 2009 in this respect can be named a year when status quo was maintained at best, he said. The US welcomed statements of the Belarusian leadership about possible lifting of Article 193.1 of the Criminal Code envisaging responsibility for activities of behalf of an unregistered organisation, and about access of independent mass media in the monopoly of the state-run press distribution network, in particular, of 12 regional newspapers. A positive conversation about facilitation of the procedure of political parties and NGO registration was also held. Besides, as underlined by Scanlan, the US noted peaceful and non-violent attitude of the authorities to recent opposition rallies, and the amnesty of the so-called Process of Fourteen participants.

“Unfortunately, only the last two cases could be called examples of real actions, while all other things have remained unchanged,” the diplomat said. “Article 193-1 is still in force, political parties and non-governmental organisations are still denied registration, regional newspapers still have no access to the state system of distribution, and violent methods are still used for crackdown on the right of people for public and peaceful expression of their views. Charges against the rest of persons involved in the Process of Fourteen are not lifted, and the most flagrant example is the prison term for Artsyom Dubski. Besides, talks about “tightening of Internet regulations” are heard, which could become one more step in the direction of limiting the freedom of expression”.

Scanlan reminded that in 2008 the US suspended sanctions against tow companies of Belneftekhim concern in response to some positive steps of the Belarusian side. However in absence of new positive steps, the general situation in Belarus remained unchanged, so the position of the US in the issue of sanctions remains unchanged, he said.

At the same time, the diplomat underlined, the US continued efforts for rendering aid aimed at common advantage. “Since 2005 the US through the intermediary of the International Organization for Migration have already offered about $2 million aid for Belarusian NGOs to be able to render aid to those persons who had become victims of people trafficking. Thus, over the last four years the US gave $4 million for support of realization of the noble aim of the Belarusian government – to offer orphans and neglected children a possibility to live in families. We will continue to work in these spheres,” Scanlan said.

Besides, as said by him, ways of further development of business education and a possibility to help developing the private sector in Belarus are studied.

“We shouldn’t wait for anything for improvement of our relations. There are many spheres in which we can cooperate, if the Belarusian government is ready for such cooperation. But this implies lifting the restriction on the number of staff members of the US Embassy in Minsk. We haven’t imposed any restrictions on the number of Belarusian diplomats, and are not linking this issue to the issue of the sanctions,” Scanlan said.

He underlined that limiting the number of permanent employees of the US Embassy to five American citizens limits also possibilities of closer cooperation with Belarus. :”I would like to underline one thing, we are open for the dialogue with Belarus. The US is interested in multifaceted relations with Belarus like with any other country. There are many possible directions of possible cooperation: cultural and educational exchanges, fighting global crime, trade. Unfortunately, for today we do not see the same interest of the Belarusian government,” the diplomat said.