Freedom House: Belarusian authorities expand control over Internet

The international human rights organisation Freedom House has presented a report on Internet Freedom in 2014.

The report was published on the website of the organisation, BelaPAN informs.

Like in 2013, Belarus is included in the group of countries with “not free” freedom on the net status. It is noted in the report that this year Freedom on the Net index for Belarus is 62 points (it was 69 in 2013).

The authors of the report state that over the last year the Belarusian authorities have taken steps in order to expand control over the online sphere in anticipation of presidential elections in 2015. It is stressed that the authorities continue to use the black list of websites whose access should be blocked in state-run facilities and internet cafes.

According to the methodology of Freedom House, the countries with from 0 to 30 points have a free net status, from 31 to 60 points – partially free, higher than 61 point – not free. The situation in 65 countries is analyzed in the rating.