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Pushkov: Europe can’t endlessly hush up violations of journalists’ rights in Ukraine

MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. A senior Russian lawmaker from the lower house of parliament said Europe can’t endlessly hush up violations of rights of journalists in Ukraine and suggested his colleagues from other countries make relevant requests to the Council of Europe.

Alexey Pushkov, chairman of the international affairs committee of the State Duma, on September 18 send to the Council of Europe (CE) a third request regarding Ukrainian sanctions against journalists - this time, not only Russian journalists but also reporters from another 10 states.

"In my view, it would be logical and right from the viewpoint of protecting the rights of journalists and principles that the Council of Europe sticks to if representatives of other states, whose journalists have become disadvantaged and got onto sanctions lists, sent relevant requests as well," Pushkov said.

He did not rule out that such requests could have already been filed.

Speaking of their future, the politician said that the CE makes decisions by consensus. "So it’s natural that the side that flatly disagrees with the nature of the request has the chance to block the final decision," Pushkov said.

"But the sense of our requests is not for the Council of Ministers to adopt some decision, because we realize that it is practically impossible under the procedure, and Ukraine will block any attempts to condemn it," he said.

"Our task is to draw the Council of Europe’s attention to these constant regular violations of journalists’ rights - from illegal detentions and torture to their inclusion in sanctions lists, which has already become a constant policy of the Kiev authorities," the head of the Duma committee underscored.

"Europe will not be able to ceaselessly turn a blind eye to Kiev’s illegal actions, violations of Council of Europe norms, other international conventions," Pushkov said.