THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
Russia equates captured Ukrainian journalists with terrorists, applying the most stringent provisions of the Criminal Code and sentencing them to long prison terms. This once again proves that it is extremely difficult to return journalists from russian captivity, Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, emphasized in an interview with the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU).
According to verified data from the NUJU, as of the end of last year, at least 28 civilian media workers were in russian captivity; russia also holds at least 1 media representative from among those who mobilized to defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
“The russian federation is doing everything to suppress information about imprisoned journalists, neither international organizations that legally operate in the territory of the russian federation nor intermediaries are working. We receive information from Ukrainian intelligence agencies and released Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilians or relatives,” Dmytro Lubinets is convinced.
Despite direct communication with the russian commissioner for human rights Tatyana Moskalkova, according to the Ombudsman, he was not given any answer.
“I do not believe in just diplomatic efforts. We must speak about this consciously, directly, and publicly. Therefore, we must look for new levers. For example, the very positive practice of involving third countries: the United Arab Emirates helps us with the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Qatar helps us with the return of Ukrainian children.
Regarding civilians, we have repeatedly taken the initiative to find such a country, a mediator, who would raise the issue of civilians, including facilitating the return of Ukrainian journalists. As of today, unfortunately, none of the countries has agreed to become such a mediator, a moderator. But we continue to search,” said Dmytro Lubinets.
According to him, 836 cases of crimes against Ukrainian journalists by russians have been recorded. Among them are murders, injuries, and disappearances.
“The problem is that, on the one hand, the russians are covering up this information as much as possible, and on the other hand, they want to show that journalists are no different from other civilian citizens of Ukraine. And secondly, they apply the most stringent norms of the Criminal Code of the russian Federation to journalists. This is allegedly engaging in terrorist activities, espionage in favor of Ukraine. Thus, journalists receive long prison terms,” added Dmytro Lubinets.
At the same time, it is important to show international partners again and again: the russians are doing this solely because journalists show the truth, how the russian federation kills civilians, destroys civilian infrastructure, and commits other crimes.
“It seems to me that journalists should first of all talk about their colleagues. By disseminating this information, we can and must put pressure on russia, which understands only the power of significant levers of influence. The result should be strong diplomatic, economic, political sanctions – something that really affects the russian federation. Therefore, taking this opportunity, I would like to once again appeal to the world journalistic community: disseminate information about your colleagues who are currently in russian captivity as much as possible,” emphasized Dmytro Lubinets.
NUJU Information Service
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