Ukrainian journalists are increasingly targeted by the Russian invaders for their professional activities. Since the start of the full-scale war of aggression in February 2022, the Ukrainian Institute of Mass Information documented over 599 crimes committed by Russia against media and media workers. 81 media workers lost their lives: 10 were killed while reporting and 71 died from shelling, torture or while serving in the armed forces. At least 30 media professionals and journalists are unlawfully deprived of their liberty and held as civilian detainees in Russia, facing fabricated criminal charges, torture, and deprivation of basic rights. The whereabouts of several Ukrainian journalists remain unknown. Unfortunately, the number of victims among journalists is growing.
On June 26th, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we will hold a public debate to spotlight these crimes and advocate for the immediate release of all Ukrainian journalists detained by the Russian Federation.
The event will feature representatives of the victims, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, and representatives from NGOs monitoring and defending media freedom: Reporters Without Borders and the Kyiv-based Institute of Mass Information.
Join us at PACE on Wednesday 26 June from 13.00 to 14.00 in room 8.
