Ukrainian journalists held a march against impunity

Today, initiated by Institute of Mass Information and other non-government organizations a march against impunity was held by Ukrainian journalists in front of the Presidential Administration, the participants were holding portraits of the dead journalists in their hands.

Journalists proclaimed the Petition addressed to the President and the General Prosecutor requiring to investigate the crimes committed against their colleagues.

On 23 November, the International Day against impunity Ukrainian journalists brought attention of the authorities of crimes against the journalists which still remain uninvestigated and of criminals who have not been brought to justice.

"Stop Censorship" movement, National Union of Journalists, IFJ, the organization "Reporters without Borders" and IMI took place in that action.

Oksana Romaniuk, representative of Reporters Without Borders in Ukraine, noted that the petition was sent as an information request to the authorities, which the authorities have to answer: How are investigated attacks on the journalists and are the guilty punished or not.

Assistant Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists, Oliver Money-Kyrle highlighted that investigation of violations of journalists' rights could be possible only under condition of the direct control of the media and the public.

"Your 10 years struggle for the investigation of the Gongadze case inspires many journalists around the world,"  said Oliver Money-Kyrle.

Journalists who took part in the march stressed that failure to investigate the assaults against the journalists caused self-censorship, and as a result a number of violations of the right of citizens to information.

The march was followed by the round-table discussion in the Union of Journalists.