Several minority Protestant groups in Belarus have issued a “public protest” against the broadcasting of a documentary on Belarusian TV. Aimed at creating “negative attitudes” among the citizens of this former Soviet republic, the film was the latest of the media materials offered by state media organizations.

“We wrote letters to the authorities,” said Valery Ivanov, communication director of the Euro-Asia region of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which includes the country of Belarus. Ivanov said that the Protestant denominations first protested in June 1999, following the publication of an article in “Narodnaya Gazeta” in which non-Orthodox believers were accused of “aggression against the Belarussian Orthodox history.” The article portrayed Protestant Christians as “agents” attempting to destroy the Orthodox Church, the republic, and the nation.”

Similar reporting was also aired on national radio. “These programs had a similar tone to the newspaper article,” Ivanov said.

In early December, believers in several Protestant Christian churches, including Evangelical, Seventh-day Adventist, Evangelical Baptist, and Full Gospel, issued a protest in which they spoke about “incorrect information which afflicts the religious feelings of believers, suppresses their dignity and provokes religious intolerance.” This latest protest was issued after a 40-minute documentary, “Aggression,” was shown on October 26.

Ivanov said that reaction to the letters sent to the government was that “the film was shown again.” The BBC reported that the showings were unscheduled and the protests aimed at “defending the dignity” of the Protestant believers in the country and worldwide.