OSCE representative calls for immediate release of all journalists missing in eastern Ukraine

VIENNA, 25 July 2014 – OSCE Representative of Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today demanded the immediate release of journalists who were reported missing in eastern Ukraine.

“I am seriously concerned about the continuing abduction and disappearance of members of the media,” Mijatović said. “This practice of intimidation continues to create an environment of fear for journalists and media workers.”

“This trend has to change and it has to change immediately,” she said.

On 23 July Graham Phillips, a freelance journalist with Russia Today, and Vadim Aksyonov, a camera operator with Anna News, went missing near Donetsk Airport. Aksyonov was found the next day while the whereabouts of Phillips remains unknown.

According to Aksyonov, he, along with Phillips and another media representative, was held by Ukrainian military forces.

Yury Lelyavsky, a freelance journalist with ZIK, also went missing on 23 July after he had been reportedly detained in Luhansk Oblast.

Mijatović also reiterated her call for the release of freelance journalist Anton Skiba who was abducted on 22 July by armed separatists in Donetsk.

Mijatović said her Office would continue to closely monitor the situation.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom; Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on Facebook.com/osce.rfom.