 |
Academic and Press Freedom Banned in Ukraine |
|
By
Stephen Lendman |
| US-installed Nazis abolished fundamental freedoms.
Police state ruthlessness replaced them. Anyone criticizing regime rule
risks arrest, torture, imprisonment or death. An “Enemies of Ukraine” database was established, targeting thousands of international journalists and human rights workers. Human Rights Watch blasted what it called Kiev’s “blatant disregard for freedom of expression.” Foreign journalists and other regime critics are barred from entering the country on the phony pretext of threatening national interests or promoting terrorist activities. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blasted the release of names and personal information of journalists working in Donbass, including them on an “Enemies of Ukraine” database, saying: “The act cannot be regarded otherwise but as a neglect. Though in essence it constitutes an abuse of declared freedoms in Ukraine to satisfy political ambitions. Personal rights and freedoms of thousands of people have been breached.” Thousands of journalists and human rights workers are accused of cooperating with “terrorist organizations.” Information released includes their names, employers, positions, home countries, cell phone numbers, email addresses and dates of stay in Donbass - territory Kiev doesn’t control, free from its fascist rule. Zakharova minced no words, accusing regime authorities of Ukrainian and international law violations - including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental freedoms. Ukrainian journalist Oles Buzina was found murdered “days after his personal data were deliberately posted online for open access,” Zakharova explained. “We share journalists’ concern over encroachment on their rights and urge competent international bodies to give a response to another attempt in Ukraine to hamper people’s rights to express their opinions and to receive and impart information,” she added. Separately, Normandy Four countries Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine meeting in Berlin made no progress on resolving conflict in Donbass. Behind the scenes, Washington continues undermining efforts for peace. Minsk II is on life support. Kiev-instigated low-level conflict continues. Following discussions on Wednesday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation “deplorable.” Things are “far from being promising and productive,” he said. Kiev rejected proposals Russia presented. Since Minsk II conflict resolution provisions were agreed on, Ukraine systematically violated them - with full US support and encouragement. Ukrainian mortar fire, artillery and snipers continue targeting Donbass. Conflict resolution remains elusive. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |
| Donate to Rense.com Support Free & Honest Journalism At Rense.com | Subscribe To RenseRadio! Enormous Online Archives, MP3s, Streaming Audio Files, Highest Quality Live Programs |