Mr. Yaroslav Yurchyshyn:

Ladies and gentlemen and esteemed members of the international community, I am head of the parliamentary committee for freedom of speech in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine in 2014, at least 100 Ukrainian journalists have been held hostage by Russia. Currently, 30 journalists are being unlawfully detained. These journalists come from different regions of Ukraine, including the central part of Kyiv Oblast, the occupied Crimea, occupied parts of Zaporizhzhya, and many other regions. All the detained journalists are civilians. Russia falsely labels them as combatants to avoid recognising crimes against them. For example, Crimean journalist, Iryna Danilovich, has lost hearing in one ear due to lack of medical care. She was unlawfully detained by Russia and sentenced to seven years in prison on fabricated charges of possessing an explosive device. Journalist Dmytro Khilyuk, was taken to Russia during the occupation of Kyiv region and has been held in terrible conditions. There is only one reason for that; Russia aims to silence journalists documenting its crimes.

No mechanism exists for the return of civilian hostages, unlike military prisoners. Russia denies holding Ukrainian journalists but uses them in propaganda, branding them as terrorists and traitors. Ukrainian journalists face long prison terms, typically 15 or even 20 years. Both Ukrainian and international organisations have recorded reports of torture, abuse, and denial of medical care to the journalists who are civilian hostages of Russia. Families and lawyers often have no access to the detained journalists, which causes fear and uncertainty. The Institute of Mass Information, IMI, a well-known Ukrainian NGO that is a partner of Reporters Without Borders, interviewed former detainees who confirmed targeted abductions of journalists and activists.

For example, journalist Oleh Baturin, who was kidnapped by Russians in Kherson and held for eight days due to his work and civic stance, reported about torture. The treatment of detained journalists constitutes severe human rights violations, including torture and denial of medical care. These actions reflect a broader strategy by Russia to suppress dissent and control the narrative.

I would like to give the committee a broader context of Russian crimes. According to the Institute of Mass Information, more than 600 crimes against media and journalists have been committed by Russia since the beginning of invasion in 2022. For example, 82 journalists have been killed. Cybercrimes and interference with Ukrainian satellite broadcasts are also often committed. Russian forces dismantle Ukrainian broadcasting in occupied territories. They establish propaganda networks promoting hate speech and calls for violence against Ukraine.

I call on members to take action. Who knows better than them what civilian hostages are? First of all, conduct genuine international investigations to hold Russian officials accountable. We need legal and diplomatic efforts, which should focus on holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring the safety and freedom of journalists. Second, I call on members to put global pressure on Russia and spread information about the fate of detained journalists. By bringing these issues to light and calling for decisive action, we can work towards justice for those affected and uphold the principles of press freedom and human rights. Third, I call on members to use all possible international mechanisms to locate and improve the conditions of these journalists. We cannot remain indifferent to the violations of human rights and press freedom. It is essential to unite efforts to protect journalists and uphold the truth.

We need the help of the Chair and all who are taking part in this meeting in talking about this problem. I thank them for their attention and support.