11 April, Minsk /BELTA/. The state does not restrict private users' access to internet sites. This was stated today to journalists by Pavel Rodionov, Head of the Department for Supervision of Legislation Compliance and Legality of Legal Acts of the Prosecutor General's Office, commenting on reports of restricted access to the websites "Charter-97" and "Belarusian Partizan," as reported by BELTA.
Pavel Rodionov reported that on March 23, 2011, the Prosecutor General's Office issued a resolution to include the identifiers of these two internet resources in the restricted access list. However, he stressed that this does not mean a complete blockage of access. This list applies, in particular, to state institutions, educational and cultural institutions. It does not extend to bodies engaged in operational-search activities, courts, the State Control Committee, and so on. Moreover, it does not apply to private users, who still have the opportunity to visit these internet resources.
The decision of the Prosecutor General's Office was made in pursuance of Decree No. 60. Pavel Rodionov recalled that websites promoting pornography, extremist activities, etc., may be included in restricted access lists. The Prosecutor General's Office had already issued resolutions on this matter in 2010. About 20 websites containing information related to human trafficking and the promotion of pornography were added to the list.
Regarding the two mentioned internet resources, according to Pavel Rodionov, "it is no secret to anyone that information inconsistent with the legislation appeared on these sites in November and December 2010." The representative of the Prosecutor General's Office explained that this included, in particular, calls to participate in an unauthorized rally. The editors of the websites were well aware of this and understood it. In addition, Pavel Rodionov noted that users of these sites make offensive comments, including those concerning people holding public office. At the same time, the administrators of the resources take no action in this regard.
"It is obvious to citizens that the state should not finance visits to such sites," said Pavel Rodionov, adding that the Prosecutor General's Office "does not aim to restrict freedom of speech." According to him, the adopted sanction is directed at those who abuse freedom of speech: "the state cannot, even outwardly, condone violations of the law."