Situation of human rights in the Russian Federation

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This resolution is highly critical of violations by the Russian authorities, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. The resolution also extends the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia.
• Russia opposed the resolution, as it refused to take the floor to speak about it, and its allies on the Council voted against the resolution.
• Moreover, the resolution was adopted under Item 4, the primary framework for addressing country-specific human rights situations, signaling criticism.

Main Sponsors

Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Vote

Yes - 20, No - 8, Abstain - 19, Absent - 0

See Full Vote

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Gravely concerned at the continued significant deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, in particular at reports of the extrajudicial killing of government critics, severe restrictions on the rights to freedoms of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, both online and offline, to silence dissent, anti-war expression and other peaceful activities vital for the functioning of a democratic society…"
• "Expressing its deep concern at the reported mass arbitrary arrests, detentions and harassment of the persons referred to in the previous paragraph, including persons peacefully protesting and speaking out against the deterioration of the rule of law in the Russian Federation and the war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine…"
• "Expressing concern at the torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of detainees…"
• "Expressing grave concern at the death of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny in detention, and the failure of the Russian authorities to conduct an effective, independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death."
• "Expressing its concern at the mass forced shutdowns of civil society organizations…"
• "Alarmed that legislative measures are being used by the authorities against Russian civil society, human rights defenders and Indigenous Peoples to penalize and criminalize cooperation with international organizations…"
• "Deploring the continuing social, political and economic discrimination and violence against women and girls and individuals in vulnerable situations and the level of sexual and gender-based violence in the country…"
• "Strongly urges the Russian authorities to comply with all of the State’s obligations under international human rights law."
• "Urges the Russian authorities to uphold the fundamental freedoms of thought, conscience, religion or belief, opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, and political participation, and a democratic election process…"
• "Decides to extend the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation as defined by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 54/23 for a period of one year."