Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova (A/HRC/57/59)
The present report is submitted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova, pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 54/23. Since the submission of the Special Rapporteur’s first report, the human rights situation in the Russian Federation has deteriorated further. There is now a structural, State-sponsored system of human rights violations legalized by new or revised legislation utilized to suppress civil society, dissenting views and political opposition. An environment of absolute impunity has been created, coupled with a lack of independent institutions to safeguard the rule of law and access to justice. Public anti-war expression or dissent of any kind is criminalized, the use of violence by law enforcement is condoned and arbitrary arrests and detentions are widespread. The persecution and incarceration rate of human rights defenders, journalists and political figures in the Russian Federation has increased sharply, with worsening conditions, including solitary confinement, enforced disappearance and death in custody.