The European and International Federations of Journalists (EFJ-IFJ) have condemned moves by the Russian authorities to shut down the Journalists’ and Media Workers’ Union (JMWU). The EFJ and IFJ urge the Russian authorities to drop the lawsuit against JMWU and to end their crackdown on independent journalists and media outlets in Russia.
On 5 July, the Moscow City Court notified JMWU that the Moscow prosecutor had filed a lawsuit to liquidate the journalists’ union. Pending judgment, the court decided on 4 July to order a suspension of the union’s activities. The preliminary hearing of the case is set for 13 July.
The documents from the court stated that an administrative procedure has been opened against JMWU “in connection with the publication on the organisation’s official website of false information on the course of the special military operation to protect the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, intended to discredit the use of Russian armed forces to protect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens and maintain international peace and security”.
This article provides for a fine of up to 200,000 roubles (3,100 EUR) for the organisation’s leaders and up to half a million roubles (7,700 EUR) for the organisation itself.
The court’s judgement concludes that “the activities of the trade union lead to a violation of human and civil rights and freedoms and harm public order, public security, society and the state”. The JMWU representatives were not allowed to see the court files. A preliminary hearing on the liquidation of JMWU is scheduled for July 13, at 2 pm in the Moscow City Court.
IFJ President Dominique Pradalié said:“This unfair and arbitrary process, leading to decisions being taken without giving the union the effective right to submit documents and challenge any so-called evidence, is a sham. It is just one more dangerous step in the closing down of any voices that do not just repeat the government’s statements. We will continue to provide practical support to all those Russian journalists working to keep the truth alive from those who would seek to silence independent voices”.
