OVSE veroordeelt aantasting persvrijheid

Dunja Mijatovic, die zich namens de OVSE bezighoudt met de persvrijheid, heeft kritiek geuit op de beperkingen die journalisten krijgen opgelegd in de door de separatisten bezette gebieden in Oost-Oekraïne en op de door Rusland geannexeerde Krim. Mijatovic reageerde op de bevindingen van de leider van de waarnemingsmissie van de OVSE in de Donbas, Ertugrul Apakan. Die constateerde eind vorige week dat ruim 350 websites verboden zijn door de separatisten, terwijl Oekraïense media in de bezette gebieden beperkt of zelfs helemaal niet te raadplegen zijn.

Mijatovic sprak over de voortdurende bedreigingen en intimidaties waarmee journalisten te maken hebben, terwijl de bloggers Eduard Nedeljajev en Gennadi Benitski door de separatisten in Loehansk zijn opgepakt. De OVSE-vertegenwoordiger noemde dit alles ''zeer veronrustend''.

Ook noemde Mijatovic de arrestatie van journalist Nikolaj Semena van de nieuwssite Krim-realii. Hij wordt door de Russische autoriteiten vervolgd voor ''oproepen tot acties die de territoriale integriteit van Rusland schaden'' oftewel acties om duidelijk te maken dat de Krim niet tot Rusland mag behoren. ''Als hij daadwerkelijk veroordeeld wordt voor het schrijven van een artikel waarin hij zijn standpunten uiteen zet, dan kan hij tot vijf jaar gevangenisstraf krijgen. Dit is volstrekt onaanvaardbaar.''

Bron: Unian

OSCE condemns deterioration of media freedom, journalist safety in occupied Ukraine OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic on January 24 condemned the continued deterioration of media freedom and safety of journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine. Politics 10:31, 25 January 2017 15 READ LATER OSCE/Colin Peters OSCE/Colin Peters She commented on the situation following the latest report of the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to the OSCE Permanent Council, the OSCE press service said. According to Mijatovic, on January 19, OSCE Chief Monitor, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, among other issues, highlighted in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council several developments which continue to limit freedom of expression and freedom of the media in areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government. In particular, he mentioned a ban of over 350 websites and continued restriction of access to Ukrainian media outlets, both in print and broadcast. Particularly worrying, the Representative noted, is the continued threats and intimidation of media workers, as well as the arrests of bloggers Eduard Nedelyaev and Gennadiy Benitskiy by members of the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic," or "LPR." "Access to information, plurality of opinion and the safety of journalists continue to suffer in times of crisis," Mijatovic said. "As is the case in Crimea, the ongoing deterioration of free expression and free media in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine is deeply disturbing." Read also Russia continues to lie about its role in Donbas, plays victim – U.S. Mission to OSCE In addition, the OSCE Representative expressed concern once again regarding the persecution of Crimean journalist Nikolay Semena from the Krym-realii online media outlet. According to reports, on January 20, Semena was indicted for "public calls for actions violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation." The indictment follows the publication of an article written by the journalist, who expressed his views on the status of the peninsula. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. "The case of Semena reminds us all of the arbitrary practice of silencing critical voices in Crimea," Mijatovic said. "It is totally unacceptable to persecute the journalist for expressing his views. I call for all charges against Semena to be dropped." "I once again call on all those responsible for law and order in these areas to stop the destruction of freedom of the media and do their utmost to ensure the safety of journalists," Mijatovic said. Mijatovic added that it is difficult to give a comprehensive assessment of the current state of affairs of media freedom and to engage with journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine and in Crimea, due, primarily, to a number of access and security obstacles. If you notice a spelling error, please highlight it with your mouse and press Ctrl+Enter ADD TO FAVORITESSEND EMAIL Comments RulesLogin

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