MOSCOW, August 1 (RAPSI) - Chairman of the Presidential Council for Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov believes it is necessary to speed up the adoption of legislation on journalists’ work in war zones, a statement published on Wednesday on the advisory body’s website.
The statement was made in relation to the murder of three Russian journalists in the Central African Republic.
On the night of July 30 to 31, journalist Orkhan Dzhemal, director Alexander Rastorguyev and operator Kirill Radchenko were killed allegedly by rebels. Russia’s Investigative Committee has already opened a case on the journalists’ murder.
According to Fedotov, the murder cannot go unpunished, it must be investigated as quick as possible and effectively. However, other journalists, who will go to flashpoint areas in future, must obtain maximum possible security guarantees including advanced insurance, focused instructions and body armors. All these guarantees are to be provided for in a draft law developed by the Human Rights Council yet several years ago but put aside in the State Duma, the advisory body’s chairman said.
He projected hope that the death of three Russian journalists will boost the adoption of the legislation.