French MFA Condemns Blocking of "Charter-97"

France adheres to principles of respect for freedom of press and freedom of expression.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the blocking of Charter97.org in Belarus.

The international human rights organization "Reporters Without Borders" contacted the French MFA with the following question: "Today it is three months after the most popular news website of Belarus Charter97.org has been blocked in this country. "Reporters Without Borders" and other human rights organizations oppose this censorship. What is the reaction of France?

"We regret the decision to block the main news site of Belarus Charter97.org, adopted by the authorities of this country in late January. France adheres to principles of respect for freedom of the press and freedom of expression both throughout the world, and on the Internet. Such restrictions of basic freedoms contradict Belarus' rapprochement with the Council of Europe and the European Union," the French MFA stated.