Press release
UNESCO Director-General deplores the death of journalist Viktoria Roshchina in Russia
I deplore the death of Viktoria Roshchina and call for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. I reiterate my call to respect UN Security Council Resolution 2222 unanimously adopted in 2015 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and associated personnel as civilians in situations of conflict, a status recently reaffirmed in the UN Pact for the Future.
Viktoria Roshchina was a freelance journalist for multiple outlets, including Ukrayinska Pravda. She went missing on 3 August 2023, while reporting on the war in Ukraine. In April 2024, Russian authorities confirmed that she was in their detention. She reportedly died while being transferred from Taganrog city to Moscow.
UNESCO promotes the through global awareness-raising, capacity building and by coordinating the implementation of the on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, 91鶹Ʒ offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
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