29 Countries Strongly Condemned Internet Blocking In Belarus

The USA and the G7 states are among them.

29 countries, including the U.S. and the "G7" states, sharply condemned the actions of the Belarusian authorities, which continue to try to cut off the Internet and block unwanted content, the Voice of America reports.

"Cutting down, blocking or filtering Internet services unreasonably restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression ... Coupled with restrictive measures and intimidation used against opposition candidates, as well as mass arrests and detentions of members of Belarusian civil society and journalists, actions to restrict access to the Internet, including social networks and other digital communication platforms, it is destroying civil space further," - the statement said.

The appeal was signed by representatives of the authorities of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, USA, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and Ukraine.

"We call on the Belarusian authorities to refrain from disconnecting the Internet ... and to comply with international obligations of Belarus in the field of human rights... We call on the Government of Belarus to respect ... human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law," - the statement reads.