IFJ/EFJ affiliate, the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ), expresses its solidarity with journalists in Ukraine and supports the demand of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) and the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU) to immediately find and punish all those involved in violence against journalists in Kyiv and other cities of the country in recent weeks.
The RUJ states:
There have been many violations of the rights of media workers. One journalist was killed, 167 of our colleagues were injured, dozens of them were subjected to all sorts of attacks. Neither press cards nor any other signs of their professional duty could save them from brutal attacks and destruction of their professional equipment.
During the protests journalists from many countries were beaten and attacked. Our Ukrainian colleagues acted swiftly to protect them, regardless of their nationality and political position. These actions, in particular, the statement made by Ukrainian professional organisations following the beating of a Russian correspondent in Kiev, were acts of genuine solidarity.
We are sure that those who organised the massacre of journalists and all other forms of violence against them will be punished, and the names of those responsible will be published. We also believe that our professional solidarity and respect for the profession will help us to prevent violations of the rights of journalists and protect media workers regardless of their nationality, language, and the media they represent.
For more information, please contact IFJ on +32 2 235 22 17
The IFJ represents more than 600 000 journalists in 134 countries
