Thank you, Chair. I am delivering this on behalf of Canada and my own country, the UK.
Upholding freedom of expression is a key principle of the OSCE and a key commitment freely made by all OSCE participating States. Media freedom is vital for the effective functioning of free and open societies and is essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The UK and Canada are deeply concerned by the actions taken by Russia, intensifying over recent months, which have served to erode media freedom and shrink the space in which independent media can operate.
The UK and Canada, alongside a number of other participating States, register our regret about the recent decision taken by Russian authorities to force German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) to close operations in Russia and to cancel the accreditation of all its Russian bureau staff. The action was unjustified and we call on Russian authorities to allow a fair legal process to enable DW to challenge the decision.
The decision by the telecom watchdog Roskomnadzor to order media outlets to delete their reports on Alexei Navalny's anti-corruption investigations actively undercuts the freedoms of assembly and association that are an essential part of the OSCE acquis since the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. We also reiterate our call for the Russian authorities to comply with the European Court of Human Rights request to release Alexei Navalny from prison immediately.
The unacceptable treatment of journalist Elena Milashina by Chechen authorities has been raised in this forum multiple times. We are dismayed by the news that Ms Milashina has been forced to flee the country after receiving further threats from the Chechen authorities.
Russia's treatment of journalists and independent media runs counter to its commitments under the OSCE Milan Ministerial Decision on the Safety of Journalists. We reiterate our call for Russia to respect its citizens' right to freedom of expression and urge Russia to demonstrate its commitment to its international obligations, including OSCE commitments.
Thank you Mr Chair.
