Dutch Parliament calls on government to seek release of Ukrainian journalists from Russian captivity

The House of Representatives of the Dutch Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the government to step up international pressure on Russia and work towards the release of at least 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers unlawfully detained by the Russian Federation.

The resolution, initiated by the Socialist Party of the Netherlands, was adopted in early July. The document also calls on the government to gather more information about the situation of the detained journalists and cooperate with international partners to secure their release.

Free Press Unlimited, whose representatives contributed to the initiative, stressed that Ukrainian journalists are being held on politically motivated or fabricated charges. Many are denied contact with their families and lawyers. Human rights defenders have documented cases of torture, psychological abuse, coerced confessions, and denial of medical care.

In its statement, Free Press Unlimited also referred to a recent address by Nataliya Gumenyuk, Executive Director of the Public Interest Journalism Lab, in Geneva. She took part in an event on the protection of journalists in conflict zones organised by FPU and the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations during a session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Nataliya Gumenyuk stressed that the imprisonment of journalists cannot be treated as yet another tragic consequence of war. It is a matter of impunity that requires an immediate response from governments and international organisations.

“If even such a high-profile case can end this way, what protection do journalists in captivity have at all? If organisations cannot secure their release, they must at least demand access, information, investigations, and clarity before it is too late,” she said, referring to the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna in Russian detention.

Viktoriia Roshchyna investigated Russia’s abduction and unlawful detention of Ukrainian journalists, volunteers, local government representatives, and other civilians. In 2023, she herself was taken captive by Russia. In 2024, her death was announced.

Free Press Unlimited welcomed the Dutch Parliament’s decision and called on the government to implement the resolution as soon as possible. The organisation stresses that sustained international pressure has already contributed to the release of Ukrainian journalists in the past, including Crimea.Realities journalist Vladyslav Yesypenko on 20 June 2025 and UNIAN correspondent Dmytro Khyliuk on 24 August 2025, and that other countries should follow the Netherlands’ example.

“We must do everything possible to save the journalists who are still alive, rather than honouring them only when it is already too late. Every minute matters,” Nataliya Gumenyuk stressed in Geneva.