The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine hosted a meeting of the Human Rights, Gender Equality and Diversity Council, chaired by Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa. The meeting focused on the theme: “Freedom of Expression and the Safety of Journalists: International Cooperation and National Protection Mechanisms.”

The event brought together representatives of the Committees of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, central executive authorities, international organizations, the diplomatic corps accredited in Ukraine, the media community, as well as human rights and civil society organizations. The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea was represented by Nelia Hrynyshyn, Head of the Crimea Platform Department.

Participants strongly condemned the Russian Federation’s ongoing crimes against Ukrainian journalists, media professionals, and media infrastructure, as well as the systematic suppression of independent journalism in occupied Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine through censorship, forced information control, persecution, torture, arbitrary detention and imprisonment, and the imposition of state propaganda.

Following the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening international and interagency cooperation to enhance mechanisms for protecting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, support independent media, ensure accountability for the aggressor state’s crimes against media workers, and jointly counter disinformation as a tool for violating human rights and undermining international peace and security, thereby reinforcing Ukraine’s democratic resilience.