HRC57 - NB8 statement - Russian Federation

Human Rights Council – 57th session
Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation
Statement by Latvia on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states
24 September 2024

Mr President,

I speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic states.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report and strongly support the continuation of her mandate.

We are gravely concerned about the dire human rights situation in Russia.

Russia has systematically stifled dissent, silenced independent media, spread disinformation and repressed civil society organisations. Peaceful protesters face brutal crackdowns, arbitrary arrests and long prison sentences.

Domestic repressions go hand in hand with external aggression threatening the entire international community.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and blatant disregard for international law and human rights have fostered a climate of terror and fear across the country. Political prisoners, including human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists are held hostage for leverage, indigenous peoples and persons belonging to minorities are oppressed, LGBTI persons – outlawed and persecuted.

All international instruments must be mobilised to hold Russia accountable for its grave human rights violations.

Madam Special Rapporteur,

How can we ensure greater international scrutiny of Russia’s human rights violations and expand access for human rights monitoring mechanisms inside Russia?

I thank you.