UN criticizes charges against journalists in Russia
Published: Tuesday, May 7th 2024, 15:30
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The UN Human Rights Office has criticized the intensified crackdown on journalists in Russia. More and more reporters who want to report independently are being charged, sentenced and imprisoned, the office announced in Geneva on Tuesday.
"The constant attacks on freedom of expression and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia are very worrying," the office quoted the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, as saying.
At least 30 media professionals are in custody. They are accused of terrorism, extremism, spreading false information about the armed forces, espionage, treason, blackmail, inciting mass unrest and other charges. Twelve of the 30 have been sentenced to between five and a half and 22 years in prison. Seven more have been charged since March, for example for criticizing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine or alleged links to the network of opposition figure Alexei Navalny, who died in custody.
Russia has an obligation to respect human rights, and this includes a safe environment in which journalists can work without fear of reprisals. "I call on the authorities to immediately drop the charges against journalists imprisoned solely for their work and release them," Türk said.
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