sexta-feira, 21 de fevereiro de 2014

Ukraine

STATEMENT

We, the Ukrainian journalists, ask our colleague journalists in other countries and international organizations to do everything in their power to give Ukraine a change to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and civil war in the center of Europe.

The Ukrainian authorities have made several attempts to forcefully crack down on the protests of the Ukrainians that started as uniquely peaceful rallies in support of European integration of Ukraine. On the eve of November 30, 2013, the authorities first deployed the special task force police for extremely violent beating of rallying students. On January 16, the authorities approved a package of censorship laws, which sparked more street protests. And now the authorities are effectively refusing any actual dialogue and consensus, despite all efforts of international negotiators.

For three months, the authorities are stalling with fulfillment of all demands of protesters: limiting the presidential power through restoring to the Constitution in the wording of 2004, dismissal of the Minister of Internal Affairs Zakharchenko, punishment for those in charge of beating of students and signing of the agreement of association with the European Union. This leads to escalation of violence and confrontation.

The events of the «Black Tuesday» of February 18 showed that the authorities are ready to drown Ukraine in blood, apply firearms and military equipment.

We ask you to be very balanced in covering our current events and avoid stamps of Russian propaganda war, which has been constantly waged since the beginning of protests.
On Maidan, dozens of rally participants from all over Ukraine have been killed, that is why it is not true to the reality to say that it is all «Western Ukrainian extremists» and plays into the desire of Yanukovych’s dictatorship regime to create an impression that this is nothing but a «local conflict of radical elements».

We also ask you to repeatedly raise the issue of introduction of sanctions against Ukrainian officials, as human lives depend on it – literally. Unfortunately, Europe’s footdragging with practical actions has lead to dozens of casualties and hundreds of injured.

We ask you to inform your audiences about offshore bank accounts and companies of corrupt Ukrainian officials, which can leverage them to withdraw their support to the militant regime of Yanukovych, who launched terror against the people he swore to serve.

Background information

Civic movement Stop Censorship" was founded on May 21, 2010. This is an informal group of journalists which has been created in response to the oppression of freedom of speech in Ukraine.

"Stop Censorship" is the initiative of Ukrainian journalists and media NGOs aimed at defending freedom of speech, preventing censorship in Ukraine, as well as combating interference with journalistic activities and violations of professional standards in covering social and political issues.

Civic movement "Stop Censorship" neither supports any political party, nor receives funding from any political party.

To learn more or to join the "Stop Censorship" movement please visit:
http://www.telekritika.ua/news/2010-05-22/53128its official blog:http://stopcensorship.wordpress.com
or Twitter: http://twitter.com/StopcensorshipContact person:
Artem Sokolenko, coordinator of Civic movement "Stop Censorship!"
Tel.: + 38 050 440 46 08
e-mail. censor.stop@gmail.com

 

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