Ukrainian journalist dies while imprisoned in Russia
PICTURE: bukvy.org
International Women’s Media Foundation
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) says it is ‘devastated to learn that Ukrainian journalist Victoria Roshchyna, a 2022 Courage in Journalism Award recipient, has died while imprisoned in Russia’.
‘As details emerge surrounding the circumstances of her death, our thoughts are with Victoria’s family, colleagues, and loved ones during this immensely difficult time.’
Victoria’s passing is not just the loss of a remarkable woman, but of an intrepid witness to history. Regardless of her cause of death, we can say with certainty that her life was taken because she dared tell the truth. — Nadine Hoffman, IWMF Deputy Executive Director
‘Victoria disappeared on 3 August 2023 while reporting in Russian-occupied territory, when it is believed she was captured by Russian military forces. Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed her detention in April 2024, nearly eight months later. Prior to her imprisonment, Victoria spent more than a year reporting from the front lines of Russia’s war on Ukraine as an independent journalist for outlets including Ukrayinska Pravda, Hromadske and Radio Free Europe.
‘Victoria’s passing is not just the loss of a remarkable woman, but of an intrepid witness to history. Regardless of her cause of death, we can say with certainty that her life was taken because she dared tell the truth. We hope her death will not be in vain: the international community must pressure Russia to cease targeting journalists and silencing press freedom.’
Roshchyna is now the 13th journalist to die due to their work since the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). She was one of 20 Ukrainian journalists detained by Russia for their reporting.
‘The freelance journalist, who worked for the independent Ukrainian media Ukrayinska Pravda, disappeared on 3 August 2023, while travelling to the occupied territories of Ukraine via Russia to cover the war. Since then, there has been no sign of life from Roshchyna, despite requests to the Russian authorities, including a request from RSF.’
RSF says that since the invasion, ‘around one hundred Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been victims of abuse by Russian occupation forces’.
‘Nineteen are still being held by Russia, which refuses to provide information about the detention of some of these journalists.’
RSF notes that Russia ranks 162nd out of 180 countries in the RSF’s 2024 World Press Freedom Index. Ukraine is in 61st place.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and other UN experts wrote a communication to the Government of Russia about Roshchyna on 27 December 2023. ‘The communication remained confidential for 60 days before being made public, giving the government time to reply,’ it said. ‘Regrettably, the government did not reply within this timeframe.’
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