OSCE Representative condemns repressive actions against journalists in Crimea, Ukraine; calls for immediate release of journalist

VIENNA, 13 March 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović condemned the intimidation of independent journalists in Crimea following the detention today of Natalya Kokorina, a journalist and editor with the news portal Crimean Centre for Investigative Journalism.

“This detention is a reminder of the ongoing practice of the de facto authorities in Crimea to intimidate and persecute independent media representatives for their work,” Mijatović said.

According to reports, Kokorina was detained by Federal Security Service agents that were searching her parents’ apartment in Simferopol. Kokorina was not allowed legal help during the search and detention, nor given reasons for these restrictive measures.

“I call on the de facto authorities in Crimea to immediately release Kokorina,” Mijatović said.

FSB agents also searched the apartment of the parents of Anna Andriyevskaya, the former editor of the news portal. The search was reportedly conducted in relation to one of Andriyevskaya’s articles published by the news portal. Her father’s computer was seized. 

“The repression of free media and independent voices we witness in Crimea is nothing short of a fundamental violation of basic human rights,” Mijatović said.

The Representative’s statements on the media freedom situation in Crimea are available at www.osce.org/fom/143841.

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.