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

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

Vote

Yes - 20, No - 8, Abstain - 18, Absent - 1

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 freedom 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, resulting in an unabating systematic crackdown by the Russian authorities…"
• "Expressing its deep concern at the reported mass arbitrary arrest, detention and harassment of the persons referred to in the previous paragraph…"
• "Expressing concern at reports of the widespread and systematic use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against detainees…"
• "Reiterating grave concerns at the death of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny in detention…"
• "Calling upon the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and effectively rehabilitate all those persons arbitrarily or unlawfully detained…"
• "Expressing its concern at the mass forced shutdowns of civil society organizations…"
• "Noting with deep concern the legislative measures to increasingly restrict the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association and expression…"
• "Condemning the use by the Russian Federation of transnational repression of political activists, real or perceived political opponents, journalists and other media workers, lawyers and human rights defenders, including through the targeting of their relatives…"
• "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…"