22 Feb. () –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has announced this Wednesday that it has decided to expel the Union of Russian Journalists (UPR) from the organization, a decision that has been taken unanimously.
“The Union of Russian Journalists has been suspended with immediate effect (…) for acting contrary to the objectives of the IFJ,” the association said in a statement.
The decision has been made after an investigation into “the conduct of the UPR since the start of the invasion of Ukraine” in February 2022 and the “formation of branches of the organization in annexed Ukrainian territories, a measure that the IFJ rejects “.
IFJ regulations state that it is possible to expel a member if two-thirds of the members of the Executive Committee so decide after an “exhaustive” investigation and vote.
“The decision made must be notified immediately to the member in question, who can appeal to the next Congress, which will be in charge of ratifying and reversing the measure,” he said.
The president of the IFJ, Dominique Pradalié, has expressed that “the organization was built on international solidarity and the principles of cooperation between members, always respecting the rights of journalists”.
“The actions of the Union of Journalists of Russia in establishing branches in annexed territories clearly undermine solidarity and show a clear division between organizations. There are some who say that we must act quickly. For us, it is important that we act strictly in accordance with our regulations, which guarantee that no affiliate should be subject to abuse of power”, he stated.
In this sense, he has qualified that it is urgent to “find ways to continue supporting independent journalists inside and outside Russia who are in danger or need assistance.”
For his part, the head of the UPR, Vladimir Soloviov, has confirmed that he has been notified of said expulsion. “IFJ General Secretary Antony Bellanger has sent me a letter notifying Russia of the suspension of membership,” he said.
