Police violence against journalists covering protests in Kyiv unacceptable, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir

VIENNA, 25 October 2017 –The physical attacks by riot police officers on three journalists who were covering protests in and outside a court house in Kyiv yesterday, were condemned by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir.

“Journalists must be protected during the course of their work and not beaten and detained," Désir said. "I note that the Ministry of Interior has publicly stated its intention to fully investigate the incident, which I will continue to monitor.”

According to reports, at least three journalists, Dmytro Replyanchuk (Hromads’ke TB), Serhii Lefter (UNIAN) and Kyrylo Mylyshev (Strana.ua) were beaten and their equipment damaged when the riot police stormed the premises of the Svyatoshyn district court in Kyiv on 24 October. Lefter and Mylyshev were detained alongside protesters in the court room, although they repeatedly identified themselves as members of the press.

On 20 October, following his official visit to Ukraine, the Representative called on authorities to put an end to impunity for all attacks on journalists.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.