Anton Gerashchenko: The Ministry of Internal Affairs will systematically make efforts to guarantee the safety of journalists
This was stated by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Gerashchenko today, on November 6, during parliamentary hearings on the topic: “Security of journalists' activities in Ukraine: status, problems and ways to solve them”. The event was attended by heads of regional units of the National Police.
“The policy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is that the authorities of a democratic and European country, such as Ukraine, should systematically make efforts to guarantee the safety of journalists and the right of citizens to information,” Anton Gerashchenko said.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs also said that on October 24, 2019, the Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov met with the head of the National Union of Journalists Sergey Tomilenko.
“During the meeting, the Minister instructed me, as his deputy, and the head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Klymenko to coordinate the efforts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police to respond effectively to the facts of obstruction of journalistic activity. By order of the Minister, those responsible for the effectiveness of investigations of crimes against journalists will now regularly report to the press on efforts to protect media representatives. Arsen Avakov also instructed the National Police to respond promptly to the facts of obstruction of the professional activity of journalists and promised to provide a personal response to the resonant attacks on journalists in the regions,” Anton Gerashchenko noted.
Anton Gerashchenko separately emphasized that in the near future a separate section will appear on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where it will be possible to see the list of registered crimes committed against journalists and the progress of their investigation.
“I appeal to all affected journalists and urge them to contact law enforcement agencies in case of obstruction of your lawful professional activity. Crimes against the security of journalists should not go unpunished and the law enforcement system should ensure proper investigation of such cases,” the deputy minister added.
It should be noted that during 9 months of 2019, investigators of the National Police registered 158 criminal offenses. According to the results of the investigation for the specified period of time, indictments were sent to the court in 10 criminal proceedings for 12 criminal offenses. In 156 criminal offenses during the reporting period, investigators decided to close them. The decision to close was agreed with the prosecutor's office.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
