The international community can be slow to respond to the issue of Russia’s unlawful detention of Ukrainian journalists, so European society must continuously pressure decision-makers and strengthen sanctions against the aggressor.
This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by Ricardo Gutiérrez, Secretary General of the European Federation of Journalists, following a special screening in Brussels of the documentary Free the Voices about Ukrainian media workers abducted by Russia.
Gutiérrez said that during discussions on the situation of Ukrainian journalists, EU officials usually agree with the arguments but do not take immediate action. In this context, he emphasized the need to strengthen targeted sanctions against Russia.
“I see no other option but to strengthen targeted sanctions against Russia, because thanks to investigative work we know who is behind these unlawful detentions,” he said.
He added that journalism itself and documenting such cases is the profession’s best response, noting that the federation will again adopt a declaration on imprisoned journalists at its annual meeting in Ankara in a few weeks.
