In theory, Belarus should have all the more reason to comply with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights in order to accede to Council membership as soon as possible. Despite this, the government persists in its liberticidal attitude and continues to violate fundamental rights. So far one of the main accusations made to the Belarusian authorities concerns their repressive attitude towards freedom of expression. The independent press has been silenced, opposition parties denied access to public television channels and newspapers, and numerous laws passed to impose broad censorship and stranglehold. on the media.