Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the general debate of the UNGA Fourth Committee on agenda item 53 (“Questions relating to information”)
(6 November 2024)
Madam Chair, distinguished colleagues,
The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union on behalf of its member states and would like to add a few remarks in our national capacity.
We underscore the critical importance of supporting the UN Department of Global Communications in its work to strengthen the UN’s capacity to disseminate timely and accurate information. Disinformation and misinformation pose a severe global threat, undermining security, democratic institutions and processes, human rights, economic development, public health, and environmental protection.
Russia’s use of hybrid information warfare tactics and disinformation fuels its war of aggression against Ukraine. Propaganda and disinformation have become key tools in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, specifically crafted to justify the criminal actions of the Russian armed forces and dehumanize Ukrainians. In this regard, Ukraine emphasizes the need for a global fight against “fake news.”
The illegal detention of Ukrainian journalists is a deliberate practice employed by the Russian Federation. The journalists in Russian captivity are subjected to ill-treatment, torture and even killings.
One of the persons illegally detained by Russia was Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna. Viktoriia was a courageous, award-winning journalist committed to documenting the truth about Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine. She was known for her reporting, providing firsthand accounts of life in the territories of Ukraine occupied by Russia. Viktoriia went missing while reporting in the occupied territories of Ukraine in August 2023. Russia confirmed her illegal detention in April this year, and on 10 October, it was revealed that the journalist had lost her life. This killing is yet another heinous crime in Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukrainians, including civilians, journalists and other non-combatants. We call on all delegations to condemn the killing of the Ukrainian journalist by the Russian Federation. This crime must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice.
As a result of Russian aggression, at least 91 media workers have been killed, 12 of them lost their lives while carrying out professional journalistic duties.
Madam Chair,
Ukraine believes that a global and systemic approach is required to combat attempts to falsify information and use it as a tool for legitimizing violations of the UN Charter and wars of aggression, as well as for undermining public safety, peace and security. Disinformation and propaganda of war, as well as those involved in these activities, must be clearly distinguished from professional journalism and journalists.
Russian so-called “journalists” have incited hatred towards Ukrainians, thus bringing war and suffering to Ukraine. They now glorify war crimes of the occupying army and justify Russia's violations of the UN Charter.
Russian barbaric war tactics also include attacks on TV towers in Ukraine. On 1 March 2022, Russia attacked the main TV tower in Kyiv and the city's main Holocaust memorial, killing at least five people and disrupting TV broadcasts across Ukraine. On 22 April this year, Russian missile strike broke in half a TV tower in Kharkiv. On the night of 30 October, Russian troops damaged a TV tower in the Lozova raion of the Kharkiv region.
The delegation of Ukraine also wishes to address the critical findings brought to light by Mariana Katzarova, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. Her report confirms the Russian government’s use of repression and human rights violations as tools to silence dissent domestically and to enforce its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.
Inside Russia, there is a systematic and brutal crackdown on civil society. Anti-war activists, journalists and cultural figures are detained and subjected to inhuman treatment simply for voicing opposition to the Kremlin's war against Ukraine. Poets, priests and ordinary citizens face harsh prison sentences and tortures for peaceful expressions of dissent. Russian authorities are using torture, forced disappearances and brutal prison conditions as deliberate strategies to stifle any resistance, thereby fostering a climate of fear and obedience.
Madam Chair,
In conclusion, the delegation of Ukraine calls on UN Member States to condemn the crimes committed by the Russian Federation against journalists.
Only through collective and resolute action can we restore justice for all victims of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
I thank you.