November 2 – International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

UOJ journalists at a court session on August 19, wearing T-shirts with a quote from Vance. Photo: Persecution in Ukraine

November 2 is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

As reported by Radio Svoboda, the International Federation of Journalists called for action against impunity for crimes against journalists in Ukraine, noting that no journalist’s murder in Ukraine has been fully investigated.

They reminded that the Servant of the People Party previously promised to "do everything possible to ensure that journalists living and working in Ukraine feel safe and truly act as the fourth estate, helping to improve the country."

On this day, the "Opposition Platform – For Life" party recalled the murders of Ukrainian journalists Oles Buzina and Pavel Sheremet and urged an "end to the persecution of independent publications and TV channels and a start to combating criminals."

"The other parliamentary factions did not issue statements on the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists," the publication noted.

It is worth remembering that UOJ Orthodox journalists Andriy Ovcharenko and Valeriy Stupnytsky have been held in detention for over six months. Recently, another journalist, Volodymyr Bobechko, as well as Archpriest Serhiy Chertylin, who is being persecuted along with other "prisoners of conscience", were released on bail. Late last month, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the completion of the pre-trial investigation and the transfer of the journalists' cases to court. However, it was reported that the arrested individuals were not even interrogated. Media sources informed that the indictments submitted to court merely reiterated unsubstantiated charges initially made in March. The SBU stated that "the wrongdoers face life imprisonment with confiscation of property."

UNESCO expresses concern that impunity harms entire societies by concealing serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. Governments, civil society, the media, and all parties interested in strengthening the rule of law are urged to join global efforts to end impunity.

In recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, including for crimes against journalists, the UN General Assembly, during its 68th session in 2013, adopted Resolution 68/163, designating November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists. The resolution calls on member states to take specific measures to combat impunity. This date was chosen in memory of two French journalists killed in Mali on November 2, 2013.

Previously, the UOJ wrote: What secrets about the UOJ did the SBU uncover through its agent?

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