THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
The Platform of European Memory and Conscience has announced that the 2025 Prize has been awarded to Iryna Danylovych, a Ukrainian human rights activist, citizen journalist, and nurse from the russian-annexed Crimea. The award recognizes her outstanding civic courage, independent journalism, and unwavering defense of human dignity. The Radio Liberty project reports on the Krym.Realii website.
It is noted that despite surveillance, threats, abduction, and torture, Danylovych has demonstrated unwavering determination to expose injustice and defend the truth. Her commitment to democratic values and fundamental freedoms in one of the most repressive regions of Europe makes her not only a journalist and a medical worker, but also a symbol of resistance and moral resilience.
“When the truth becomes dangerous, those who speak it become targets. This award is not only a tribute to Iryna’s courage, but also a call to protect every journalist persecuted for exposing injustice. Iryna Danylovych reminds us that even in the darkest places, one voice can shed light on the truth,” said Marek Mutor, the president of the platform.
Iryna Danylovych was born on May 6, 1979, and worked as a nurse in Koktebel. During the russian occupation and annexation of Crimea, she began to cover violations of the rights of medical workers and the deterioration of the healthcare system. Her reporting for independent media on politically motivated trials and human rights violations made her a target for the russian authorities.
In 2022, Crimean journalist and human rights activist Iryna Danylovych was kidnapped by FSB officers. Later, she was accused of possessing explosives. In the pre-trial detention center, medical care was not provided for a long time due to acute otitis media. As a result, the activist lost hearing in one ear, but she has not received treatment.
In August of last year, after arriving at the colony, Danylovych went to the medical unit due to pain in her ears and head. However, in response, the doctor, Lidiya Morozova, stated that the pain would subside on its own, but only after Danylovych became completely deaf. On August 1, 2024, the activist’s father, Bronislav Danylovych, passed away.
NUJU Information Service
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