Poroshenko should cancel blocking Russian sites – HRW

Human rights activists believe that Poroshenko needs to take measures to protect freedom of expression and information in Ukraine.

International Human rights organization Human Rights Watch believes that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko should repeal the ban on blocking Russian sites. According to the statement of the representative organizations of Tanya Cooper, Poroshenko must also take steps to protect freedom of expression and information in Ukraine.

“In one move, Poroshenko struck a terrible blow to freedom of speech in Ukraine. It is inexcusable violation of the rights of Ukrainian to receive information of their choice, the European Union and other international partners of Ukraine should immediately call on Ukraine to cancel it,” the statement says Cooper.

She stressed that this is another example of the ease with which “Poroshenko wrongfully trying to control public discourse in Ukraine.”

“Poroshenko may be trying to justify this step, but this cynical attack on the right to information, which affects millions of Ukrainians and their personal and professional life”, – said the representative of Human Rights Watch.

The human rights defenders also note that as of April 2017, 78% of all Internet users in Ukraine (about 20 million) had an account at Facebook.

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