Third Committee: Australian statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia
Statement delivered by Mr. Harry Aitken, Counsellor and Legal Adviser, Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations
26 October 2026
Thank you Chair.
Australia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.
Australia remains gravely concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia.
Russian authorities are using legislation to criminalise legitimate dissent, arbitrarily detain opposition figures and silence independent voices – punishing people for exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms.
We are particularly troubled by Russia’s systematic and escalating transnational repression aimed at silencing its critics.
Recent legislation targeting Russian citizens abroad and misuse of international law enforcement mechanisms is a clear attempt to punishthose who oppose the government or speak out against Russia's war against Ukraine.
Australia remains deeply troubled by Russia’s ongoing persecution of minority groups, including religious and national minorities, Indigenous Peoples and LGBTQIA+ people.
Australia is appalled by Russia's continued human rights violations in Ukraine, including reports concerning forcibly transferred Ukrainian children and of systematic torture, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, and other cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment by Russia against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war.
Russia's domestic human rights record cannot be separated from its broader disregard for international law.
Special Rapporteur, how can States better protect Russian civil society, journalists and human rights defenders from Russian state repression at home and abroad?