Statement of the Ukrainian Centre of the International PEN Club

The Ukrainian Centre of the International PEN Club expresses its deep indignation at the continuous persecution, inspired by the current government, of the sole remaining independent television channel in Ukraine—TVi.

We express solidarity with the Appeal issued on 31 August 2012 by the journalists of TVi to the Ukrainian public and the international community.

We appeal to the Ukrainian public and the world community to rise to the defense of TVi and, hence, of freedom of speech and all democratic freedoms in Ukraine.

Truth and moral force are on the side of the journalists working at TVi. We are not indifferent to their fate for they are championing freedom for themselves and for us.

We are informing the board of the International PEN Club, all national PEN centers, and the entire international community of writers about the ongoing persecution of the last independent television broadcaster in Ukraine — channel TVi.

Myroslav Marynovych, president,

Ukrainian Center of the International PEN Club