OSCE Representative concerned about journalists’ safety in Ukraine, following incident near parliament in Kyiv

VIENNA, 31 August 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about an incident near the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv, in which several journalists were injured.

According to reports, journalists with the television stations 1+1, Channel 5, as well as reporters from other media outlets, were injured when protesters attacked law enforcement officers in front of the Verkhovna Rada building.

“Even though this is not an incident targeting journalists specifically, I am concerned with the incident and calling on the authorities for a swift investigation into the case, as well as all earlier cases of attacks against journalists,” Mijatović said.

The Representative noted that the authorities already made a number of arrests tied to today’s incident near the Parliament.

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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.