The U.N. human rights chief called Monday for a quick end to the “repression of independent voices” in Russia and expressed concerns about the “persecution” of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month. Volker Türk, in a wide-ranging speech, also lamented dozens of conflicts around the world, widespread violations of human rights law that have impacted millions, and displacements caused by war, which could escalate in places like the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and Sudan.
Quick Read
- U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk called for an end to the repression of independent voices in Russia and expressed concern over the persecution of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month.
- Türk highlighted global human rights violations and conflicts, pointing out the impact on millions and potential escalations in regions like the Middle East, Horn of Africa, and Sudan.
- He criticized increasing restrictions on rights defenders and journalists in India and discriminatory policies affecting voting rights in the U.S.
- Ahead of Russia’s presidential elections, Türk noted the intensified repression of dissent in Russia and the prevention of some candidates from running due to alleged irregularities.
- He called for a review of cases where individuals in Russia were detained for exercising fundamental freedoms and demanded an immediate end to the repression of independent voices.
- The European Union expressed outrage over Navalny’s death, holding President Putin and Russian authorities responsible.
- Türk also addressed racially motivated police activity in Western countries and urged China to revise its criminal procedure law, calling for the release of human rights defenders detained under such legislation.
- Ken Roth criticized Türk’s approach towards China, arguing that the U.N. rights chief should condemn China’s repression rather than solely focus on dialogue and engagement.
- China’s ambassador in Geneva, Chen Xu, stated that China is open to dialogue on human rights but will resist efforts to interfere in internal affairs and reject baseless allegations against the country.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN rights chief urges end to ‘repression’ of independent voices in Russia
Newslooks- GENEVA (AP) —
The U.N. human rights chief called Monday for a quick end to the “repression of independent voices” in Russia and expressed concerns about the “persecution” of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month.
Volker Türk, in a wide-ranging speech, also lamented dozens of conflicts around the world, widespread violations of human rights law that have impacted millions, and displacements caused by war, which could escalate in places like the Middle East, the Horn of Africa and Sudan.
“Rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises,” he told the Human Rights Council.
Alluding to some countries among the dozens holding national elections this year, Türk denounced “increasing restrictions” on rights defenders, journalists and “perceived critics” in India. He urged U.S. authorities to ensure that voting is universal, alluding to discriminatory policies that restricted the right of Black Americans to vote.
In the run-up to Russia’s presidential elections from March 15-17, Türk said Russian authorities “have further intensified their repression of dissenting voices” and noted how some candidates “have been prevented from running due to alleged administrative irregularities.”
He said Navalny’s death in a Russian prison last month “adds to my serious concerns about his persecution” and noted how thousands of politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers and others have faced criminal or administrative charges for having “simply spoken their minds on social media.”
Türk called for a swift and comprehensive review of all cases where people in Russia were detained for exercising fundamental freedoms, and “an immediate end to the repression of independent voices and the legal professionals who represent them.”
“The future of the country depends on an open space,” he said. March’s vote in Russia is all but guaranteed to see President Vladimir Putin, 71, cement his place in power until at least 2030.
Amb. Lotte Knudsen of the European Union said the European bloc and some other countries were “outraged” by Navalny’s death, and “the ultimate responsibility lies with President Putin and the Russian authorities.”
“Russia’s political leadership and authorities must be held to account,” she said in a discussion following Türk’s remarks. “Navalny’s courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice. Freedom and democracy will never be forgotten.”
No Russian envoy took the floor during the debate.
Türk spoke out against the perception of “racially motivated” police activity in some Western countries, and called on China to revise a criminal procedure law and the “vague offense of ‘picking quarrels and making trouble’” in one of its articles.
“I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under such legislation,” he said.
Ken Roth, a visiting professor and lecturer at Princeton University and former longtime head of Human Rights Watch, sharply criticized Türk’s comments, saying the U.N. rights chief “can’t get himself to condemn any aspect of the Chinese government’s repression, referring only to ‘dialogue’ and engagement with Beijing.”
In comments posted on Twitter, Roth called China “the gravest global threat to human rights” and said Türk’s “refusal to condemn China … is dead wrong. He may be the wrong man for this job.”
China’s top ambassador in Geneva, Chen Xu, said his country was open to dialogue on human rights, but would resist efforts to use them as a “pretext to interfere in internal affairs” and resist “baseless allegations against my country by any country.”
