Geneva (dpa) – According to a UN report, human rights are increasingly being disregarded in Russia. “There is now a structural, state-sponsored system of human rights violations,” reports Mariana Katzarova. The Bulgarian was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2023 as special rapporteur on the situation in Russia. The system is designed to suppress civil society and political opposition, her report says.
Torture in custody
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Critics of the Russian war against Ukraine and dissidents are being persecuted more and more harshly. Katzarova put the number of convicted political prisoners at at least 1,372. These human rights defenders, journalists and war critics were accused on flimsy grounds and sentenced to long prison terms.
They experienced torture in custody. Political prisoners were held in solitary confinement cells, others were forcibly placed in psychiatric clinics. These are only those known to Katzarova. The true number may be higher, said one employee.
Russia and the «foreign agents»
More and more people are being classified as “foreign agents” – which means that, from the Russian perspective, they are supported or influenced from abroad. This significantly limits their work opportunities and forces many to give up. The law on this dates back to 2012.
As of August 16, 846 individuals and organizations had been labeled as foreign agents, most of them since the beginning of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. These include nearly 200 media organizations and more than 100 journalists. From 2012 to March 2022, only 336 had been classified as “foreign agents.”
German ambassador speaks of barbarism
“President Vladimir Putin’s regime has turned Russia into a prison for its own citizens,” said the German ambassador in Geneva, Katharina Stasch. “The report of the special rapporteur makes it clear: opposition members, journalists and dissidents are arbitrarily detained and mistreated in order to stifle any form of free expression. This barbarism must finally come to an end.”
Russia refuses to cooperate with her, Katzarova said.
– What are the main findings of the UN report on Russia’s human rights crisis?
Title: “Russia’s Human Rights Crisis: A Structural, State-Sponsored System of Suppression”
Meta Description: A UN report reveals a shocking rise in human rights violations in Russia, with critics of the war against Ukraine and dissidents facing harsh persecution, torture, and silencing. Read the full report on the crisis.
Keywords: Russia, human rights, UN report, political prisoners, torture, foreign agents, suppression, civil society, political opposition
Introduction:
A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Council paints a grim picture of Russia’s human rights landscape, revealing a structured, state-sponsored system of violations designed to suppress civil society and political opposition. The report, compiled by Mariana Katzarova, the UN’s special rapporteur on the situation in Russia, highlights the alarming rise in persecution of critics of the war against Ukraine and dissidents, with many facing torture, long prison terms, and forced psychiatric treatment.
Torture in Custody: The Plight of Political Prisoners
According to Katzarova’s report, there are at least 1,372 political prisoners in Russia, with many facing trumped-up charges and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Human rights defenders, journalists, and war critics are among those being targeted, with some being held in solitary confinement cells or forcibly placed in psychiatric clinics. The true number of political prisoners may be even higher, as many cases go unreported.
Russia’s “Foreign Agents” Law: Silencing Dissent
Russia’s 2012 law on “foreign agents” has been used to silence and intimidate individuals and organizations, labeling them as recipients of foreign support or influence. As of August 16, 846 individuals and organizations have been branded as foreign agents, with the majority being targeted since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine. This label severely limits their work opportunities, forcing many to abandon their activities.
The Human Rights Crisis in Russia: A Systematic Suppression
The UN report suggests that human rights violations in Russia are not isolated incidents, but rather a deliberate, structured system designed to suppress dissent and opposition. Katzarova’s findings are a stark reminder of the growing dangers faced by those speaking out against the Russian government’s policies, including its aggressive actions in Ukraine.
Conclusion:
The UN report’s findings are a call to action, urging the international community to take notice of Russia’s human rights crisis and hold the Russian government accountable for its actions. As the world grapples with the consequences of Russia’s aggression, it is essential to prioritize the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia and beyond.
References:
United Nations Human Rights Council report (2023) – “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation”
UN News – “Russia: Human rights defenders and critics facing ‘systematic’ repression, says UN expert”
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What are the specific forms of torture reported among political prisoners in Russia?
Russia’s Human Rights Crisis: A Structural, State-Sponsored System of Suppression
A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Council paints a grim picture of Russia’s human rights landscape, revealing a structured, state-sponsored system of violations designed to suppress civil society and political opposition. The report, compiled by Mariana Katzarova, the UN’s special rapporteur on the situation in Russia, highlights the alarming rise in persecution of critics of the war against Ukraine and dissidents, with many facing torture, long prison terms, and forced psychiatric treatment.
Torture in Custody: The Plight of Political Prisoners
According to Katzarova’s report,
