UNITED NATIONS THIRD COMMITTEE: INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN RUSSIA
29 October 2024
Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for your report.
The findings in this report are stark – signalling a structural, State-sponsored system of human rights violations enabled by legislation that supresses civil society, dissenting views and political opposition.
President Putin’s contempt for human rights is seen in the shocking death in prison of Alexei Navalny in February, for which Australia continues to hold the Russian Government responsible.
Australia condemns Russia’s failure to credibly investigate Mr Navalny’s death, and to comply with its international human rights obligations.
Then in March, elections that were not free, fair, inclusive or credible prolonged Putin’s hold over Russia and its people.
We are deeply troubled by the crackdowns on journalists, human rights defenders, artists, activists, religious figures and ordinary citizens who seek to express their legitimate concerns, including their opposition to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
These individuals are subject to harassment and intimidation, arbitrary detention and lengthy prison sentences.
We also recognise the cultural loss caused by Russia’s censorship of dissident art and artists, and their being forced into exile.
We condemn any intimidation and reprisals against civil society, human rights defenders, independent media and dissenting voices.
We reiterate our call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained for merely seeking to exercise their human rights.
Madame Rapporteur, how can the international community support ordinary Russians and independent voices that remain in Russia who want to see an end to their country’s human rights violations?