The United Nations (UN) condemned the decision of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to close the opposition TV channels 112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZiK, recognizing it as contrary to international human rights standards.
“On February 2, the President of Ukraine signed a decree enacting the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions on Taras Kozak and eight of his companies, which led to the closure of three. This decision contradicts international human rights standards, as it lacks justification of necessity and proportionality, and it was not adopted by an independent body”, – reads the report of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
The document also notes that bills aimed at establishing punishment for “collaboration” with a hostile state also cause concern, since they do not meet international standards for free expression of opinion, peaceful assembly and association.