Deterioration of Human Rights in Russia Since Ukraine War, UN Expert Reports By Innocent Eneta
The human rights situation in Russia has taken a stark turn for the worse since the initiation of President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine in February last year, according to the findings of an expert commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Mariana Katzarova, serving as the special rapporteur on Russia’s rights situation, has presented her first report on the matter, unveiling a troubling trend.
Katzarova’s report delves into the disconcerting domestic crackdown that has unfolded within Russia, primarily targeting critics of Putin’s war and other dissenting voices within the country. It’s essential to emphasize that this investigation is separate from another ongoing inquiry by U.N.-backed investigators, which has accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
Remarkably, this marks the inaugural instance in which the U.N. Human Rights Council has authorized a rights expert to scrutinize the human rights situation within one of its permanent members, a group that includes Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
Unprecedented Suppression of Dissent
The report draws attention to alarming figures released just last month by OVD-Info, an organization dedicated to monitoring human rights violations. The data reveals that over 20,000 individuals were detained between February of the previous year and June for their participation in anti-war protests. Astonishingly, more than 600 criminal lawsuits were initiated against those involved in “anti-war activity.”
Of particular concern is the fact that over half of those arrested for participating in what the report characterizes as “peaceful anti-war activism” were women. The report goes on to unveil a litany of rights violations, including torture, allegations of rape, sexual violence, and threats of sexual abuse, all perpetrated by law enforcement officers against both men and women. Shockingly, none of these cases have been officially investigated.
Crackdown on Civil Society and NGOs
The report also casts a spotlight on the Russian Justice Ministry’s registry of “foreign agents,” which, as of the end of July, contained 649 organizations and individuals—an increase of more than 25% within just six months. Additionally, more than 100 organizations were declared as “undesirable” by the end of July, a designation that could ultimately result in their prohibition.
Katzarova’s report underscores the deeply concerning trajectory of human rights within Russia, emphasizing the urgent need for international attention and action. It serves as a stark reminder of the indispensable role that human rights monitoring plays in ensuring accountability and justice, even in nations of significant geopolitical influence.
