Two Charged in Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London Amid Fears of Transnational Repression
December 5, 2024
Rwanda Detains Journalist and Opposition Figures in Repressive Crackdown
December 5, 2024
December 5, 2024 – Malta/Russia –
At the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting held in Malta on December 5–6, 2024, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on member states to take a united stand against Russia’s widespread imprisonment of journalists. The appeal, timed with the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighted the detention of 38 journalists—19 Russian and 19 Ukrainian—many held under harsh conditions or fabricated charges, including terrorism, espionage, or “extremism.”
RSF urged OSCE states to publicly demand the unconditional release of all detained journalists and to press Russia to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross access to those held in custody. At least one journalist has reportedly died behind bars, underscoring the severity of the repression. RSF emphasized that Russia has now become the world’s fifth-largest jailer of journalists, with detentions often occurring in Crimea and other Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. These journalists are frequently denied access to fair trials or legal counsel.
The RSF appeal took place amid sharp geopolitical tensions at the summit. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken openly confronted Lavrov over Russia’s war on Ukraine, nuclear threats, and continued human rights abuses, including the crackdown on independent media. Blinken’s remarks added weight to RSF’s demand, framing press freedom as not just a journalistic issue but a critical pillar of regional and democratic security.
Many of the imprisoned Ukrainian journalists were arrested for resisting Russian narratives in occupied territories, with some charged simply for working with non-Kremlin-aligned media. Russian journalists, too, are being punished for critical reporting or refusing to disseminate state propaganda.
RSF’s call is a test of the OSCE’s core principles. With Lavrov present at the summit, member states had a unique opportunity to confront Russia directly on its systematic violations of press freedom and international law.
The organization stressed that statements of solidarity are not enough—OSCE members must translate words into coordinated pressure and action to ensure the immediate release of these journalists and protect others still at risk. The Malta summit, RSF concluded, must mark a turning point in global accountability for the repression of independent journalism.
Reference –
https://apnews.com/article/russia-lavrov-malta-osce-41c6f08c02015bc6858274d208dec06b
