Open letter to Olympic Committee

Petition addressed to: Olympic Committee

OPEN LETTER
to the International Olympic Committee

We, representatives of the media community, human rights organizations, and civil society, address the International Olympic Committee regarding a situation that raises serious public concern and, in our opinion, requires an ethical assessment by the institutions of the international Olympic movement.
This concerns the actions of Gadzhi Gadzhiev, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who initiated legal proceedings in Ukraine against investigative journalist and head of the independent media outlet BASE, Natalya Sadykova.
According to available information, the lawsuit is related to Natalya Sadykova’s professional activities and her publications on matters of significant public interest. The claims reportedly include demands to remove materials, publish a retraction, and pay compensation.
Natalya Sadykova is also recognized as a victim in a criminal case in Ukraine related to the murder of her husband, journalist Aidos Sadykov. This circumstance gives the situation particular public significance and requires heightened attention to any actions that may affect her professional activities, safety, and right to freedom of expression.
Furthermore, according to available information, within the framework of this criminal proceeding, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine sent a request to the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the questioning of Gadzhi Gadzhiev. The mention of a high-ranking sports official’s name in materials connected with such an investigation, in our opinion, raises legitimate questions from the standpoint of the reputational, ethical, and institutional standards applicable to representatives of the Olympic movement.
In addition, open sources, including the Myrotvorets database, contain information and assessments concerning his activities. In view of the position he holds, this circumstance, in our opinion, also deserves attention as part of an ethical assessment.
We believe that legal actions against a journalist in connection with publications on matters of public interest may be perceived as a form of pressure and may create a chilling effect on freedom of speech, independent journalism, and public oversight.
This situation is of particular concern given Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s position as Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan — an institution that should embody the principles of integrity, transparency, respect for fundamental rights, and public trust.
In this regard, we call on the International Olympic Committee to:
pay attention to this situation;
assess the actions of Gadzhi Gadzhiev within the framework of the ethical standards of the Olympic movement;
consider the question of his suitability for the position he holds;
consider the possibility of taking measures within the IOC’s competence, should grounds be established through the appropriate procedure;
take measures aimed at protecting the reputation, values, and principles of the Olympic movement.
Freedom of speech, the protection of journalists, and the inadmissibility of pressure on independent media are integral principles of a democratic society and an important part of ensuring transparency and accountability.
This letter is open for signature 
 
ОТКРЫТОЕ ОБРАЩЕНИЕ
в Международный олимпийский комитет
Мы, представители медиа-сообщества, правозащитных организаций и гражданского общества, обращаемся к Международному олимпийскому комитету в связи с ситуацией, вызывающей серьезную общественную обеспокоенность и, по нашему мнению, требующей этической оценки со стороны институтов международного олимпийского движения.
Речь идет о действиях вице-президента Национального олимпийского комитета Республики Казахстан Гаджи Гаджиева, инициировавшего судебное разбирательство в Украине против журналистки-расследовательницы и руководительницы независимого медиа BASE Натальи Садыковой.
Иск, по имеющейся информации, связан с профессиональной деятельностью Натальи Садыковой и ее публикациями, затрагивающими вопросы значительного общественного интереса. Среди заявленных требований — удаление материалов, опровержение информации и выплата компенсации.
Наталья Садыкова является потерпевшей по уголовному делу в Украине, связанному с убийством ее мужа, журналиста Айдоса Садыкова. Это обстоятельство придает ситуации особую общественную значимость и требует повышенного внимания к любым действиям, которые могут затрагивать ее профессиональную деятельность, безопасность и право на свободу выражения мнения.