14/02/2022 08:34

The Commissioner condemns the attack on journalists of Ukrayinska Pravda and appeals to law enforcement agencies to conduct a transparent investigation

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova condemns the attack on Ukrainian Pravda journalists at the Dnipro airport the day before, when unknown individuals threatened to take the phone from the cameraman and demanded a password to delete the video.

According to the Commissioner, the use of force against media workers and obstruction of journalistic activities is absolutely unacceptable and incompatible with the principles of democracy.

"Freedom of the media, in particular the journalists who work for them, is an essential component of freedom of expression, freedom of information and a key value guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights," said Lyudmila Denisova.

The reaction of law enforcement agencies to this shameful case was quick. Two criminal proceedings have been instituted on this fact. Cases were initiated under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Art. 171 - obstruction of professional activity of journalists; Art. 345-1 - threats or violence against journalists.

The Commissioner appealed to the Chief of the National Police of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General to conduct a transparent investigation.