On this day in 2022, the government of Kosova announced that it would open its doors to shelter 20 Ukrainian journalists in solidarity with Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. The move was made in coordination with the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and highlighted the commitment of the Kosovar government towards press freedom and human rights, showing the world its willingness to stand up for journalists who were facing persecution for their work. The asylum offer also demonstrated Kosova’s strong stance on democracy, which relies on access to information provided by the press.

The announcement was met with praise from international organizations and media freedom advocates, who commended Kosova for taking a strong stand in support of press freedom and human rights. The EFJ’s Secretary General, Ricardo Gutierrez, said: “We express the gratitude of the profession to those states, such as Kosova, that support our Ukrainian colleagues. This should serve as an example for other governments in other countries.”

This move positioned Kosova as a role model in the defense of press freedom and human rights in the region and the world. It was also a call for other countries to follow suit and support journalists who were facing persecution for doing their job, providing access to information and promoting democracy. The significance of the situation in Ukraine is particularly striking for Kosovo because it serves as a reminder of a similar situation that Kosovo experienced within recent memory.

As one of the Ukrainian journalists in residence in Kosova, Iryna Synelnyk, says, “People in Kosova also experienced war, they understand us very well and are so empathetic. They always emphasize that they know what it means to go through a war and how it affects a person. So when I write articles, I often refer to Kosovo’s past, how it was for them, what the consequences were, and how they are dealing now.”