UN rights expert calls for end to Russia’s crackdown on lawyers
2025-01-21 12:00
GENEVA (21 January 2025) – UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Diego García-Sayán today called on the Russian Federation to immediately end its ongoing crackdown on lawyers and human rights defenders, and to fully respect their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
“The Russian authorities must immediately cease their campaign of intimidation and harassment against lawyers who are simply doing their jobs,” he said. “Lawyers are essential to the functioning of any democratic society, and they must be able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal.”
García-Sayán expressed particular concern about the recent arrests and detentions of lawyers who have been involved in politically sensitive cases, including the trial of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“These arrests are a clear attempt to silence dissent and to prevent lawyers from carrying out their legitimate work,” he said. “They are also a violation of Russia’s international human rights obligations.”
The Special Rapporteur urged the Russian authorities to release all lawyers who have been arbitrarily detained, and to drop all charges against them. He also called on the authorities to investigate all allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of lawyers, and to hold those responsible to account.
“The Russian authorities must respect the independence of the legal profession and allow lawyers to carry out their work without fear of intimidation or reprisals,” García-Sayán said. “This is essential for the rule of law and for the protection of human rights in Russia.”
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Renata Kelava, UN Human Rights Office, +41 22 917 97 62 / rkelava@ohchr.org
Background:
The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers is part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN rights expert calls for end to Russia’s crackdown on lawyers
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