Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on “Attacks on Journalists in the USA”
As delivered by Acting Political Counselor Lane Darnell Bahl
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
July 23, 2020
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I want to assure you that the United States is committed to protecting the safety of members of the press and holding accountable those who violate the law, including law enforcement officials. The United States condemns threats, harassment, and violence targeting journalists, both in the United States and around the globe. I assure you there is no law in the United States that suppresses journalists, or prosecutes them for reporting or expressing their views.
Unlike in Russia, where over the last 30 years journalists like Anna Politkovskaya, Natalia Estemirova, Paul Klebnikov and at least 55 others have been murdered for their work, the vast majority with impunity, the United States is committed to vigorously investigating and holding accountable those who commit violence against journalists.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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