02 October 2025

PACE adopts resolution calling to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to secure the release of Ukrainian journalists held in captivity

On October 1, in Strasbourg, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the resolution “Journalists matter: the need to step up efforts to liberate Ukrainian journalists held in captivity by the Russian Federation”.

The resolution is based on a list of 26 politically imprisoned journalists compiled by the Institute of Mass Information. Among them are Crimean journalists: Oleksii Bessarabov, Dmytro Shtyblikov, Ernes Ametov, Marlen Asanov, Tymur Ibragimov, Seyran Saliev, Server Mustafayev, Rustem Sheikhaliiev, Ruslan Suleymanov, Osman Arifmemetov, Remzi Bekirov, Amet Suleymanov, Asan Akhtemov, Iryna Danylovych, Vilen Temerianov, Aziz Azizov, and Rustem Osmanov.

For the first time, a PACE resolution uses the term “citizen journalists.” It specifically notes that in Crimea, citizen journalists take daily risks to cover the realities of occupation. Most of them are not professional reporters, but Crimean Tatar activists and relatives of political prisoners, many of whom are forced to work anonymously for their own safety. Frequently, they become targets of persecution.

The resolution calls on Council of Europe member states to:

·       Support international accountability mechanisms, including the Register of Damages, the Claims Commission, the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression, and enforcement of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in inter-state cases Ukraine v. Russia;

·       Support Ukrainian journalists financially, through mentorship programs, and by integrating those forced into exile into European newsrooms;

·       Utilize the International Criminal Court and the principle of universal jurisdiction to hold Russian officials accountable;

·       Support the work of national human rights institutions;

·       Strengthen sanctions pressure on all those responsible for crimes against journalists.

The resolution also introduces an annual PACE commemoration — “Victory for Victoria” — to be held during the Assembly’s autumn session. This special day will honor journalists and war correspondents who risk their lives in the line of duty. The name was chosen in memory of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who was captured by Russian forces, tortured, and died in captivity.

Following the adoption of the resolution, the exhibition “PRESS IN DETENTION” was opened, featuring portraits of journalists held in Russian captivity.

We express our gratitude to Yevheniia Kravchuk and the entire Ukrainian delegation to PACE for their consistent and important work on Crimea-related issues and on ensuring accountability for Russia’s crimes.

Read the full text of the resolution: https://pace.coe.int/en/files/34532/html