Ukraine: Russian Forces Illegally Detain Former Journalist Iryna Levchenko
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the Russian forces’ abduction of the retired journalist and demands her immediate release
Location: Ukraine, Melitopol
Date: May 6, 2023
Russian forces illegally detained former journalist Iryna Levchenko and her husband. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled by the actions of Russian Forces. Its suppression of media workers must stop. We demand their immediate release.
On May 6, Iryna Levchenko and her husband Oleksander were on the street in the occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol. According to reports, the Levchenkos are being held under terrorism charges. Levchenko and her husband were detained in inhumane conditions in a cold basement with hardly any food before they were transferred. Their whereabouts are currently unknown.
Head of the Ukrainian journalist union NUJU “connect(s) her detention exclusively with her journalistic background.” Journalist union NUJU, of which Levchenko is a member, say they are “deeply outraged and worried by the gross violation of human rights in relation to our colleague Iryna Levchenko and her husband.”
Iryna Levchenko retired from journalism at the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing “security reasons.” She has not worked as a journalist since. Both she and her husband are in poor health.
Russian Forces Targeting Journalists in Ukraine
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Coalition For Women In Journalism has been monitoring and offering support to women journalists covering the conflict on the ground. Three women journalists, Vira Hyrych, Oksana Baulina, and Oleksandra Kuvshynova, have died since the war began.
Journalists reporting from Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine face a challenging environment and are routinely targeted by Russian Armed Forces because of their work.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns Russian Forces for abducting and detaining Iryna Levchenko and her husband. Targeting the retired journalist and her partner is yet another ploy by the occupying forces to silence critical voices and stifle independent media. We call on Russian forces to immediately release Iryna and Oleksander Levchenko.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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