We are deeply concerned about the unabated systematic crackdown on civil society and the repressions of political opposition and critical voices throughout the Russian Federation and active outside the country.

The events of 16 February are yet another example of the continued systematic crackdown by the Russian authorities, and their disregard for the human rights of their own citizens.

We are outraged by the death of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which the ultimate responsibility lies with President Putin and the Russian authorities. Russia must allow an independent and transparent international investigation into circumstances of his sudden death. Mr Navalny’s unexpected and shocking death is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia.

We strongly call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all other political prisoners, including Yuri Dmitriev, Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, Alexei Gorinov, Lilia Chanysheva, Ksenia Fadeeva, Alexandra Skochilenko and Ivan Safronov as well as human rights defenders, journalists and anti-war activists arbitrarily detained for peacefully exercising their human rights and opposing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We express concern over their detention conditions and recall that the prohibition of torture is absolute under international law.

We call on the Russian Federation to end this climate of impunity and create a safe environment for political opposition and critical voices as enshrined in its domestic and international obligations. We call on Russia to abolish its oppressive legislation and end political misuse of the judiciary.

Around the world people have gathered to pay tribute to the memory of Alexei Navalny. In Russia, the authorities tried to prevent the same in a number of places and several hundred people have been detained. Russia’s political leadership and authorities must be held to account. Navalny’s courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice, freedom and democracy will never be forgotten.