A number of main worldwide press freedom organisations have said their opposition to a provision within the US "peace plan" on amnesty for warfare crimes, together with these dedicated towards journalists, warning that it might create a "harmful authorized precedent".
Supply: Media Freedom Speedy Response (MFRR) in an announcement printed on the web site of the Worldwide Press Institute
Particulars: The assertion was signed by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Reporters With out Borders, the Nationwide Union of Journalists of Ukraine, and the Institute of Mass Info.
The signatories are demanding that these liable for the killings of at the least 16 journalists, the wounding of dozens of media employees and assaults on media infrastructure be recognized and delivered to justice.
Amongst these killed are Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died after being tortured in Russian captivity in 2024; French photojournalist Antoni Lallican; and Ukrainian reporters Olena Hubanova and Yevhen Karmazin, killed by Russian drone strikes in autumn 2025.
The assertion says that investigations ought to rely, amongst different sources, on the experience of Ukrainian journalists and media retailers.
Quote: "…Any try to introduce blanket amnesty that covers potential warfare crimes dedicated towards journalists, or civilians, would characterize a extreme breach of worldwide legislation together with worldwide humanitarian legislation and related human rights obligations."
Particulars: They add that every one opponents should defend journalists as civilians, and the deliberate focusing on of journalists or media infrastructure is a warfare crime that should be investigated beneath the Rome Statute of the Worldwide Felony Courtroom and relevant home legislation.
The assertion notes that no type of amnesty would have authorized grounds.
As of November 2025, the MFRR has documented 53 makes an attempt to destroy Ukrainian media infrastructure. The signatories be aware that latest months have been one of many deadliest intervals for journalists because the begin of the full-scale invasion as a result of rise in focused assaults on the press.
Quote: "We subsequently strongly urge all events concerned in peace deal discussions – together with the US and the EU – to not comply with any measures granting amnesty for warfare crimes dedicated towards journalists, as civilians. Any such concessions would dramatically undermine worldwide treaties and worldwide humanitarian legislation, set a harmful authorized precedent, and ship a sign to the world that assaults towards journalists and civilians can go unpunished."
Particulars: The signatories additionally categorical assist for efforts by the Council of Europe to determine a Particular Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression towards Ukraine and name for the method to be expedited.
Background: As of October 2025, Ukrainian legislation enforcement businesses have charged 17 Russians with crimes towards journalists. Three Russians have been convicted, and an extra 11 indictments have been filed with the courts.
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