Freedom of speech is a fundamental value that Ukraine defends in the war with Russia - Ukrainian human rights activists and human rights organizations

The appeal of Ukrainian human rights defenders and human rights organizations

We have already written about the harmful and erroneous decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) of March 18, 2022, which the President of Ukraine put into effect by his decree the next day, March 19. By this decision, the NSDC decided to unite all Ukrainian TV channels and oblige them to broadcast a round-the-clock telethon "United News #UArazom". Although several major TV channels (1+1, ICTV, Suspilne, Rada, Inter, and Ukraine 24) voluntarily decided to join the information marathon after the war began, alternating news programs among themselves, many national TV channels continued to broadcast both as part of the marathon and independently. In particular, Pryamyy, Espresso and Channel 5 participated in the all-Ukrainian telethon for 12 hours, and broadcast on their own schedule or in cooperation with foreign media for 12 hours.

We argued that although this decision seriously restricts freedom of speech on legal grounds, it is disproportionate, as the experience of the Ukrainian media during the 40 days of war has convincingly proved that there is no point in restricting freedom of speech. The desire for freedom and the ability of our people to organize themselves are so powerful that citizens are ready to voluntarily restrict their rights and fundamental freedoms without any coercion if they feel the need to do so. Journalists coordinate their actions with military administrations, and citizens closely follow the state's recommendations on the dissemination of information, adhere to them and encourage others to do the same. We, human rights defenders, whose activities in peacetime are largely limited to criticizing the state, have put this criticism aside and are engaged in countering the enemy on our "front." We have not seen a single publication by these three channels that would require correction by the state. Since pluralism does not cause harm in times of war, it seems fundamentally important to preserve it, because in peacetime it is the foundation of developed societies, and its benefits cannot be overestimated.

We thought that the failure to implement this decision of the NSDC within two weeks meant that our arguments had been heard. However, on April 4, Pryamyy, Espresso and Channel 5 were disconnected from broadcasting from the T2 digital network. It is not yet known who gave this order, which is clearly illegal. This decision does not divides society instead of uniting it, which only harms the fight against the enemy.

Therefore, we ask the President of Ukraine and the government to return Pryamyy, Espresso and Channel 5 to the airwaves and to refrain from significant restrictions on freedom of speech in general. Freedom of speech is a fundamental value that Ukraine defends in the war against Russia.

Myroslav Marynovych, Vice-Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, founding member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, prisoner of conscience in 1977-1987.

Yosyf Zisels, dissident, former political prisoner

Yevhen Zakharov, director of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group

Ihor Kozlovsky, religious scholar, historian, writer

Oleksandr Pavlichenko, executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union

Borys Zakharov, director of the Human and Law Charitable Foundation and the Khvylya Humanitarian Studio

Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group

Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union

Chuhuiv Human Rights Protection Group

Helsinki Initiative-XXI

Civil organization "MART"

Center for Civil Liberties

NGO "Territory of success"

Vaad of Ukraine

Congress of National Communities of Ukraine

CO Charitable Foundation "Human and Law"

Humanitarian studio "Khvylya"

NGO Educational Center "Prostir Tolerantnosti" (Space of Tolerance)

Odesa regional organization of the CVU

NGO "Human Rights Group "SICH"

Charitable organization "Charity and Health Foundation"

Kherson regional organization of the CVU

NGO "Docudays"

"Center for Legal and Political Studies "SIM"

Media platform "Up" (Vhoru)

NGO "Cherkasy Human Rights Center"

Ukrainian branch of PEN International