Rights expert demands release of Russian doctor jailed for anti-war views
On 2024-11-15, a UN human rights expert called for the immediate release of a Russian doctor who has been jailed for criticizing the Russian military’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dr. Anastasia Vasilyeva, a former employee of the Russian Ministry of Health, was sentenced to five years in prison in September 2022 for “spreading fake news” about the Russian army. She had posted a video on social media in which she criticized the war in Ukraine and called for an end to hostilities.
In a statement, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, said that Dr. Vasilyeva’s imprisonment was a “flagrant violation of her right to freedom of expression.”
“Dr. Vasilyeva’s only crime was to speak out against the war in Ukraine,” Khan said. “Her imprisonment is a clear attempt to silence dissent and intimidate those who dare to criticize the government.”
Khan called on the Russian authorities to immediately release Dr. Vasilyeva and to drop all charges against her. She also urged the Russian government to respect the right to freedom of expression and to ensure that all citizens are able to express their opinions without fear of reprisal.
Dr. Vasilyeva’s case is not an isolated incident. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian authorities have cracked down on dissent, arresting and imprisoning hundreds of people for anti-war activities.
In May 2022, the Russian parliament passed a law that criminalizes the spread of “fake news” about the Russian army. The law has been used to prosecute journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens who have spoken out against the war.
The UN Human Rights Office has repeatedly condemned the Russian government’s crackdown on dissent. In a statement released in March 2022, the Office said that the Russian authorities were “using repressive legislation and excessive force to suppress peaceful protests and silence critical voices.”
The Office called on the Russian authorities to respect the right to freedom of expression and to end the crackdown on dissent.
Rights expert demands release of Russian doctor jailed for anti-war views
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