UNSC calls for thorough investigation of violence against journalists in Ukraine

The UN Security Council (UNSC) has adopted a statement for the press, calling for a probe into deaths of journalists in Ukraine. The document was read out on Tuesday by Vitaly Churkin, Russia's Ambassador to the UN, who presides over the Council in June.

"The UNSC members are calling for a thorough investigation into all incidents with manifestations of violence, including those with regard to journalists," Churkin stated.
He said the UNSC membes had expressed regret over the death of VGTRK journalists Igor Kornelyuk and Anton Voloshin, as well as in connection with other instances of killing of media people.

Journalists in Ukraine

On Tuesday, the international non-governmental organization, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has condemned the killing of VGTRK journalists near Luhansk.

"We condemn the killing of Igor Kornelyuk and Anton Voloshin and again call on all the sides involved in the conflict in Ukraine's east to ensure the safety of media people," points out a statement, released on Tuesday by the New York-based organization.
The statement says that eastern Ukraine has turned into one of the world's most dangerous spots for journalists. "Reporters there face danger of getting under cross-fire, kidnapped and even killed," the CPJ points out.

The Committee said that conditions for the work of the media had considerably deteriorated in Ukraine in recent months: attacks are carried out on local and forein reporters, and instances of confiscation of their equipment and blocking of telecasting have been recorded.