OSCE Representative calls for swift investigation into attacks on journalists in Ukraine

VIENNA, 24 May 2016 – OSCE Representative Dunja Mijatović today called on the authorities in Ukraine to conduct a swift investigation of the attack against Anatoly Ostapenko, journalist with Hromadske TV in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Ostapenko was brutally beaten today by three unidentified men while on his way to his office in Zaporizhzhia, and he sustained several injuries as a result of the attack.

“As the disturbing developments with regards to journalists’ safety continue in different parts of Ukraine, I reiterate my call on the authorities to do their utmost to keep the issue high on the agenda and put an end to the impunity for these crimes,” Mijatović said.

The latest reports raised by Mijatović with the authorities include:

• An attack in Kyiv on the office of the Ukraine Television Channel on 22 April by a group of about 15 people who splashed the lobby with red paint and scattered leaflets with intimidating expressions;
• Obstruction of the work of Vitaliy Franzyuk, a camera operator with the channel NTN, by several people in the presence of police officers while filming a crime scene in Kyiv on 6 April. Franzyuk’s camera was reportedly damaged;
• An attack on and intimidation against journalists from the 1+1 Channel in Kyiv on 1 April;
• An arson attack on the office of the television studio of Konotop Channel in Sumy Region on 1 April.

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.