Picket in Brussels


Brussels, BELGIUM
Press-Release on the Picket Photo-Report of the Picket

	Press-Release: Picket in Brussels A protest, dedicated to the second anniversary of disappearance and murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze, took place near the Ukrainian Mission to Europe on September 16, 2002 in Brussels. Nearly 30 participants urged Ukrainian authorities to investigate the Gongadze case in a timely manner and protested against violations of freedom of speech and human rights in Ukraine. The largest journalist organization in the world – International Federation of Journalists – as well as Ukrainian Diaspora of Belgium, including the head and coordinator of Ukrainian civil organizations of Belgium, Omelyan Koval, participated in the protest. “Abducting Journalists is not Ukraine’s European Choice,” “Protect Journalists – Save the Truth,” “Stop Killing Freedom in Ukraine” – were some of the banners displayed by the protesters in front of the Ukrainian Mission. The participants also held Ukrainian national flags and burning candles. The workers of the Embassy did not react to the demonstration. The demonstrators were acknowledged only once, when one of the workers of the Mission agreed to deliver a letter to diplomats representing Ukraine abroad. In this letter the Gongadze Fund and Ukrainians of Belgium urge the diplomats to tell the truth about their country that is today plagued by chaos and where there is no place for democracy, freedom of speech and rule of law. In a telephone conversation the workers of the Ukrainian Mission conveyed that they do not want to come in any contact with the protesters, according to Brussels’ police. During the event there have constantly been two policemen present, and the demonstrators discussed the event taking place with them several days in advance. Only after additional negotiations between the leaders of the protest with police, it was decided to ring the doorbell of the Mission to deliver the letter. It is not clear what has caused the quick change of mind of the Ukrainian diplomats, but at the end a worked of the Embassy did come out to receive the letter. At the end of the event, participants honored the memory of Georgiy and other victims of the regime with a minute of silence. PHOTO-REPORT United We Stand! Abducting Journalists is not Ukraine's European Choice Facing the Mission