National Association of Ukrainian Journalists excludes its legal counsel

The National Association of Ukrainian Journalists (NAUJ) excluded the leading legal counsel Tetiana Kotiuzhynska from its Secretariat, at the plenary session. The plenum adopted  this desicion on Dec. 22, NAUJ press service reports.

According to the report, the Board initiated decision because: "Tatiana Kotiuzhynska directs her efforts to combat organization in which she works." In particular, she submitted three complaints to the Ministry of Justice and file a suit to the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv on legality of the Association's extraordinary session, held in November. During the extraordinary session plenum approved the amendments to the NAUJ Statute.

The Association explains that due to changes in the Tax Code and in order to continue its work as a non-profit organization they applied changes in the Association's Statute and revalidated the organization.
"Board members expressed indignation against Kotiuzhynska actions and put to a vote her exclusion. The decision was supported by an absolute majority," statement said.

The NAUJ Board reduced the post of chief lawyer and legal counsel while staffing table authorization in 2017. The Association noted that from now forth, issues mentioned above are going to be ruled  under the current legislation.
According to the NAUJ first secretary Serhiy Tomilenko, it does not affect the ability to provide editors and reporters with legal advices.