Geneva, On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UN Special Rapporteur Mariana Katzarova emphasized the need for accountability and justice for victims of the conflict, including Russian activists facing intensified repression. Her statement underscores the dire human rights situation both in Ukraine and within Russia itself, highlighting the tragic death of Alexei Navalny as a recent example of the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissent.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Katzarova’s statement reflected on the profound impact of the war, not just on the millions affected in Ukraine but also on the state of civil and political rights in Russia. She noted the chilling effect of the invasion on civic action and political opposition within Russia, where the space for dissent has all but disappeared.
The death of Navalny, a prominent critic of the Russian government, has reignited concerns over the treatment of government critics and anti-war activists, with Katzarova questioning, “Who will be next?” Following Navalny’s death, she reported that Russian authorities have detained hundreds of peaceful citizens participating in memorials across over 39 cities, signaling a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly.
Katzarova criticized the Russian government’s legislative measures aimed at silencing opposition to the war, including laws against so-called ‘fake news’ about the war and ‘discrediting the army.’ She pointed out that these measures have led to thousands of administrative and criminal cases against Russians who opposed the war, describing the trials and imprisonments as efforts to stifle dissent.
The Special Rapporteur called for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Russia, highlighting the cases of Vladimir Kara-Murza, Alexey Gorinov, Ilya Yashin, among others, as examples of individuals whose health and lives are at risk.
Furthermore, Katzarova raised concerns over the forced mobilization of Russian men to fight in the war, particularly targeting those from remote, impoverished regions and ethnic groups, and the crimes committed against Ukrainian civilians, including the abduction and deportation of children to Russia.
On this somber anniversary, Katzarova urged the international community to ensure accountability for crimes committed during the war in Ukraine and to stand in solidarity with the victims of the conflict, including those Russian human rights defenders, journalists, and activists who continue to oppose the war at great personal risk.