Thank you Mr. President,

We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report and her extensive work on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation.

Throughout recent years, we have seen how the Russian Federation’s external aggression and internal repression are closely intertwined. 

As today’s report shows, this repression is now crossing borders. 

In many of our countries, Russia is intensifying the silencing of critical voices. Voices of people that already fled Russia, because their home state was not a safe haven, but a place of prosecution. Russia is now ranking third among the world’s main perpetrators of transnational repression. Third. 

We call on Russia to end these practices and repeal enabling legislation. Legislation illustrated by the recent adoption of Federal Law No. 284-FZ on 4 August, restricting measures against persons residing outside Russia. It extends Russia’s repressive apparatus beyond its territory and threatens both fundamental rights but also the sovereignty of host states. 

We urge Russia to immediately rescind its politically motivated designations;  to end the weaponization of extremism legislation against individuals and organizations peacefully exercising fundamental rights; which includes their right to participate in fair and free elections; and to cease all acts of transnational repression, including threats to life, surveillance and digital attacks. 

Madame Special Rapporteur, 
In light of Russia’s misuse of international law, what safeguards and accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure that international law protects human rights rather than facilitates violation? 

Thank you.