Press statements of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
One year after arrest of Russian journalist Igor Rudnikov, OSCE Representative reiterates call for his release
Publishing date: 6 November 2018
VIENNA, 6 November 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed concern regarding the lengthy detention of journalist Igor Rudnikov in Kaliningrad in the Russian Federation and reiterated his call on the country’s authorities to release him...
OSCE Representative notes Russian Supreme Court resolution to improve judicial practice around online extremist content, urges legislative reform
Publishing date: 26 September 2018
VIENNA, 26 September 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today said he had taken note of the resolution by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which aims at improving judicial practice in cases of alleged online extremist content...
OSCE Representative calls on Russia to drop legislative amendments that could undermine freedom of expression and access to information
Publishing date: 21 September 2018
VIENNA, 21 September 2018 – In a letter to the authorities of the Russian Federation the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern regarding the proposed amendments to the country’s Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code, which were adopted yesterday in the final reading by the lower house of parliament, the State Duma. The amendments, among other things, strengthen the penalties for the dissemination of ‘false’ information related to defamation and information that affects privacy protection...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative reiterates call for release of Stanislav Aseev following journalists’ first public appearance since being detained
Publishing date: 23 August 2018
VIENNA, 23 August – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called for the immediate release of Ukrainian journalist, writer and blogger Stanislav Aseev (Vasin), who appeared on a Russia-24 tv report on 17 August for the first time since the beginning of his detention.
OSCE media freedom representative saddened by tragic death of journalist Suvorov in Russia, expresses condolences to relatives and colleagues
Publishing date: 25 July 2018
VIENNA, 25 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, said today he was saddened by the tragic death of journalist Denis Suvorov in Nizhny Novgorod, Russian Federation.
OSCE Representative denounces restrictive measures on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty as “foreign agents” in Russia
Publishing date: 6 July 2018
VIENNA, 6 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today denounced the fine imposed on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) for not complying with a Russian law regulating the activities of media outlets branded by the authorities as “foreign agents.”
Policy of discrimination of media as “foreign agents” should stop, says OSCE Representative following legal amendments in Russia
Publishing date: 4 July 2018
VIENNA, 4 July 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today raised his concern about the draft law amending the “Statute on the Mass Media” in the Russian Federation. If adopted in its current state, the law would extend the status of “foreign agent” not only to media but to individual journalists and other authors.
OSCE Representative reiterates call to release Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, following his conviction in Russia
Publishing date: 4 June 2018
VIENNA, 4 June 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today deplored the sentencing of Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko to 12 years in prison in the Russian Federation, and reiterated his call to release the journalist.
OSCE Representative calls for release of Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov in a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Publishing date: 4 June 2018
VIENNA, 4 June 2018 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed his concern about the continued detention of Oleg Sentsov, a writer and film director from Crimea, Ukraine, after sending a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation last week, urging to review the case.
New amendment to Criminal Code poses threat to freedom of media in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir
Publishing date: 15 May 2018
VIENNA, 15 May 2018- Following the introduction of an amendment to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which penalizes “facilitation” of foreign sanctions toward public or private persons of the Russian Federation, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, today pointed to the threats it poses for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country...