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Natalia Arno, a Russian dissident invited to speak by UN Watch, told the UN Human Rights Council how Russia’s repression follows dissidents beyond its borders.
After fleeing Russia in 2012 following threats of 20 years in prison for her democracy work, Arno faced surveillance, intimidation and cyberattacks in exile. Three years ago, she was poisoned in Europe.
“Dictatorships do not need to silence everyone. They only need to make everyone wonder: Am I next?”
Arno called on democracies to confront transnational repression and ensure that exile means safety.
Transcript:
Vice-President of the Human Rights Council: We shall now begin the Interactive Dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.
Natalia Arno: Mr. President, I fled my home country, Russia, in 2012 after security services threatened me with 20 years in prison for state treason for my democracy work.
I crossed the border, but the repression crossed it too.
In exile, I was followed, intimidated, and cyber-attacked.
Three years ago, I was poisoned in Europe. But I’m only one of thousands.
Russia imprisons dissidents at home and hunts us abroad.
Exiled Russians face surveillance, threats against their families, extradition requests, digital and physical attacks.
Dictatorships do not need to silence everyone. They only need to make everyone wonder: am I next?
This is the real power of transnational repression.
So I ask this Council: what is the meaning of refugee if persecution can follow you even in democratic countries?
No one should escape repression at home only to face it again in exile. A border should be a line repression cannot cross.
Democracies must be clear. Those who conduct and order transnational repression will face consequences.
Exile must mean safety. And ultimately, our security depends on both a sovereign and secure Ukraine and free and democratic Russia.
Victory to Ukraine. Freedom to Russia.
