BRUSSELS - Secretary General of Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland has said he is concerned over the Crimean Tatar TV Channel ATR not having its broadcasting license renewed.
“Pluralistic media representing different subject matters is important both for Crimea and the whole of Europe,” Jagland said in a statement which was released on April 2.
Jagland called on the de facto Crimean authorities to reach an agreement with the director of the TV Channel that will allow ATR to broadcast.
“Free media must be able to transfer information and ideas as guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights,” he said.
As reported ATR stopped broadcasting in Crimea on April 1 as the Russian Federal Service for the Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media ( Roscomnadzor) refused to register it. Lale Children’s TV channel, Meydan radio station, the Crimean Tatar newspapers Avdet and Qirim, and QHA news agency were also refused registration.
The Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People believes that the closure of independent Crimean Tatar media outlets is a violation of the rights of the Crimea Tatars and has appealed for “the protection of essential human rights and the law of nations.”
