Dutch Parliament calls on government to work towards the release of Ukrainian journalists
The Dutch House of Representatives has adopted a motion tabled by the Socialist Party (SP), calling on the Dutch government to actively work towards the release of at least 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers detained by Russia. The motion also urges the government to gather more information about their situation and work with international partners to help secure their release. Free Press Unlimited (FPU) warmly welcomes the adoption of the motion – this commitment is urgently needed.
Imprisoned for doing their job
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, dozens of journalists have been arrested in occupied territories or transferred to Russia. According to our partner, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU), at least 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers are currently being unlawfully detained. They are imprisoned on politically motivated or fabricated charges. The conditions under which they are being held may constitute war crimes.
Many are denied contact with their families or lawyers and are held in inhumane conditions. Human rights organisations and journalists' associations have documented cases of torture, severe psychological abuse, forced confessions and denial of medical care. The death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died after enduring severe torture in the notorious SIZO detention facility in Kizel, underscores the extreme risks faced by journalists held by Russia. The exact cause of her death could not be determined because several body parts had been removed before her body was returned to Ukraine.
Roshchyna herself had been investigating the detention and treatment of journalists, aid workers, local politicians and other Ukrainian civilians held by Russia. She ultimately became a victim of the very abuses she sought to expose.
During a recent event organised by FPU and the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the protection of journalists in conflict zones, Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk stressed that journalists in captivity should not simply be accepted as another tragic consequence of war, but recognised as a pressing issue of impunity. She urged governments and international organisations to do everything possible to save journalists who are still alive, rather than honouring them only after it is too late. Every minute counts.
Speaking about Viktoriia Roshchyna, she posed a valid question:
"If such a high-profile case can end this way, what protections actually exist for journalists in captivity? If organisations cannot secure their release, they should at least demand access, information, investigations and clarity before it is too late."
Sustained international pressure remains essential
Ensuring justice for, and preventing, international crimes is a shared responsibility of states worldwide. Sustained international pressure can help secure the release of journalists who are unlawfully detained. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has also emphasised that international advocacy has been instrumental in previous releases of Ukrainian journalists. By adopting this motion, the Dutch Parliament is calling on the government to take responsibility and play an active role in these international efforts.
We are pleased that the Dutch Parliament has supported our call and, in doing so, has set an example for other countries. Journalists should never be imprisoned simply for doing their job. Together with our Ukrainian and international partners, we will continue to advocate for their release and urge the Dutch government to swiftly put this motion into practice.
