Written question asked by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Monday, 16 May 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 May 2011. It was answered by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 June 2011 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Belarus: Internet

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Belarus on the treatment of dissident bloggers.

Answer: I am aware of the pressure being put on dissident bloggers and other elements in civil society and the independent media in Belarus.I and the Minister for Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), have released six statements since the December 2010 presidential election condemning the increase in human rights violations in Belarus. We have been active within the EU and in other international forums to put pressure on the Belarusian authorities to respect basic international standards of justice and human rights, which include freedom of speech.

Secondary information