Police officers detain a protestor during a demonstration against the Russian military operation in Ukraine on March 6, 2022 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: Stringer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Detention of Thousands of Russian Anti-War Protesters
Michelle Bachelet denounced recent "repressive legislation that impedes the exercise of civil and political rights."
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday condemned the arrests of more than 12,000 anti-war protesters across Russia reported over recent weeks and denounced President Vladimir Putin's "repressive" crackdown on dissent.
Including about 4,300 people who were arrested in 56 cities across Russia over the weekend, according to independent protest monitor OVD-Info, an estimated 12,700 demonstrators have been detained since February 24, with many of those opposed to Putin's invasion of Ukraine subjected to new anti-protest laws adopted last week.
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name."
"I remain concerned about the use of repressive legislation that impedes the exercise of civil and political rights and criminalizing non-violent behavior," Bachelet told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
As Common Dreams has reported, Russia's assault on Ukraine has been met with outrage in many cities, with thousands of Russians risking arrest by joining a global day of action on Sunday.
The most recent demonstrations came days after Russian Parliament fast-tracked new laws criminalizing "public actions aimed at discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces and spreading "false information" about the war. Putin signed the legislation into law last Friday.
People accused of publicly calling to end the war or independently reporting on the military operation could face up to 15 years in prison and fines ranging from $450 to $4,500.
"These new laws are part of Russia's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent and make sure the population does not have access to any information that contradicts the Kremlin's narrative about the invasion of Ukraine," said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Russia's "vague and overly broad" new definition of extremism, Bachelet said, has led to legal interpretations by officials that violate Russia's human rights obligations.
"Further legislation criminalizing circumstances of 'discrediting' the armed forces continues down this concerning path," the commissioner said.
According to accounts of detained Russians published by Haaretz on Tuesday, authorities have subjected people to "severe verbal abuse and threats" as well as "slaps and blows."
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name," reported Novata Gazeta, which Haaretz described as "the only critical media outlet still functioning properly in Russia after other major media outlets, like the Dozhd television station and the Ekho Moskvy radio station, shut down and smaller stations were barred from operating."
Bachelet on Tuesday expressed concern regarding Russia's "overly broad and repressive laws that restrict freedom of expression, including media freedom, and hinder the free enjoyment of other civil and political rights."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday condemned the arrests of more than 12,000 anti-war protesters across Russia reported over recent weeks and denounced President Vladimir Putin's "repressive" crackdown on dissent.
Including about 4,300 people who were arrested in 56 cities across Russia over the weekend, according to independent protest monitor OVD-Info, an estimated 12,700 demonstrators have been detained since February 24, with many of those opposed to Putin's invasion of Ukraine subjected to new anti-protest laws adopted last week.
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name."
"I remain concerned about the use of repressive legislation that impedes the exercise of civil and political rights and criminalizing non-violent behavior," Bachelet told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
As Common Dreams has reported, Russia's assault on Ukraine has been met with outrage in many cities, with thousands of Russians risking arrest by joining a global day of action on Sunday.
The most recent demonstrations came days after Russian Parliament fast-tracked new laws criminalizing "public actions aimed at discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces and spreading "false information" about the war. Putin signed the legislation into law last Friday.
People accused of publicly calling to end the war or independently reporting on the military operation could face up to 15 years in prison and fines ranging from $450 to $4,500.
"These new laws are part of Russia's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent and make sure the population does not have access to any information that contradicts the Kremlin's narrative about the invasion of Ukraine," said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Russia's "vague and overly broad" new definition of extremism, Bachelet said, has led to legal interpretations by officials that violate Russia's human rights obligations.
"Further legislation criminalizing circumstances of 'discrediting' the armed forces continues down this concerning path," the commissioner said.
According to accounts of detained Russians published by Haaretz on Tuesday, authorities have subjected people to "severe verbal abuse and threats" as well as "slaps and blows."
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name," reported Novata Gazeta, which Haaretz described as "the only critical media outlet still functioning properly in Russia after other major media outlets, like the Dozhd television station and the Ekho Moskvy radio station, shut down and smaller stations were barred from operating."
Bachelet on Tuesday expressed concern regarding Russia's "overly broad and repressive laws that restrict freedom of expression, including media freedom, and hinder the free enjoyment of other civil and political rights."
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday condemned the arrests of more than 12,000 anti-war protesters across Russia reported over recent weeks and denounced President Vladimir Putin's "repressive" crackdown on dissent.
Including about 4,300 people who were arrested in 56 cities across Russia over the weekend, according to independent protest monitor OVD-Info, an estimated 12,700 demonstrators have been detained since February 24, with many of those opposed to Putin's invasion of Ukraine subjected to new anti-protest laws adopted last week.
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name."
"I remain concerned about the use of repressive legislation that impedes the exercise of civil and political rights and criminalizing non-violent behavior," Bachelet told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
As Common Dreams has reported, Russia's assault on Ukraine has been met with outrage in many cities, with thousands of Russians risking arrest by joining a global day of action on Sunday.
The most recent demonstrations came days after Russian Parliament fast-tracked new laws criminalizing "public actions aimed at discrediting" the Russian Armed Forces and spreading "false information" about the war. Putin signed the legislation into law last Friday.
People accused of publicly calling to end the war or independently reporting on the military operation could face up to 15 years in prison and fines ranging from $450 to $4,500.
"These new laws are part of Russia's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent and make sure the population does not have access to any information that contradicts the Kremlin's narrative about the invasion of Ukraine," said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Russia's "vague and overly broad" new definition of extremism, Bachelet said, has led to legal interpretations by officials that violate Russia's human rights obligations.
"Further legislation criminalizing circumstances of 'discrediting' the armed forces continues down this concerning path," the commissioner said.
According to accounts of detained Russians published by Haaretz on Tuesday, authorities have subjected people to "severe verbal abuse and threats" as well as "slaps and blows."
"More than 30 people complained about the violence they experienced at police stations after they were arrested for participating in a protest over something we're forbidden to name," reported Novata Gazeta, which Haaretz described as "the only critical media outlet still functioning properly in Russia after other major media outlets, like the Dozhd television station and the Ekho Moskvy radio station, shut down and smaller stations were barred from operating."
Bachelet on Tuesday expressed concern regarding Russia's "overly broad and repressive laws that restrict freedom of expression, including media freedom, and hinder the free enjoyment of other civil and political rights."