Stop Censorship: Only one topic: persecution of EuroMaidan activists

In response to the savage beating of journalist and civic activist Tetyana Chornovol, Stop Censorship has issued an appeal to Ukrainian journalists to devote all their news and political programmes today and tomorrow to one subject alone: the persecution and repressive measures against EuroMaidan activists.

“Today the entire media must show that what Tetyana was writing about and what served as the reason for the attempt on her life was investigations into the corruption of Viktor Yanukovych; Andriy Klyuyev; Vitaliy Zakharchenko and other high-ranking officials. We must provide coverage of the intimidation and attacks on all activists who took part in peaceful protests since publicity is becoming virtually the only way of defending tens and hundreds of people.

We call on all colleagues to demonstrate that impunity breeds violence.

The lack of punishment for the crimes in Vradiyivka, including political liability, led to the beating of students on EuroMaidan in the early hours of Nov 30.  The absence of liability for the use of force on EuroMaidan led to the attack on Tanya Chornovol and the repressive measures against activists throughout the country.

We would point out that crimes against journalists in Ukraine are generally not investigated and the culprits not held to answer.  This includes the wholesale beating of journalists on Bankova St on Dec 1.

This must stop.

We call on colleagues working in the press services of the relevant ministries and government departments to make all effort to ensure that an investigation is carried out and that there is maximum information about how it is progressing.

If there is no investigation and those responsible are not brought to justice, a wave of violence could engulf Ukraine.