LThe situation “has worsened considerably since (…) last year and the country is now run by a state-sponsored system of fear and punishment, including the use of torture with impunity,” the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova, said at a press conference.
She was presenting her new report, which will be discussed on Tuesday at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The rapporteur was not allowed to travel to Russia.
Citing figures already mentioned in early August by a group of UN experts, the rapporteur – who is mandated by the Human Rights Council but who does not speak on behalf of the organisation – stated that there were currently “more than 1,300 political prisoners” detained in Russia.
Also read
Russia: Evan Gershkovich’s conviction a hammer blow
Torture, detention, violence
“Many of them are tortured, or their conditions of detention amount to torture and ill-treatment,” Katzarova said. “The death of Alexei Navalny in February, while he was in state custody, is just one example of the brutal treatment of the political opposition.” “Police violence is tolerated.”
“Arbitrary arrests and detentions are widespread. Conditions of detention have worsened with an increase in solitary confinement and death in custody, particularly used against political prisoners,” she continued.
Also read
Navalny’s death, epilogue of an unequal fight against the Kremlin
She also pointed to “mass surveillance on the internet.” “Russian authorities are not only physically hunting down dissidents, opponents of the war and human rights defenders, but also online,” so that “no one is safe.”
Ms Katzarova particularly highlighted the link between the Russian “aggression” launched in February 2022 in Ukraine and “repression” in Russia.
Also read
Russia: “I have been through several circles of hell,” confides Vladimir Putin’s number one opponent
