Statement by: Ms Yunei Kim, First Secretary, Australian Mission to the UN

As delivered

Thank you Chair.

The findings in this report are stark – signalling a structural, State-sponsored system of human rights violations that supresses civil society and dissenting views.

President Putin’s contempt for human rights is seen in the shocking death in prison of Alexei Navalny in February.

Australia condemns Russia’s failure to credibly investigate Mr Navalny’s death, and to comply with its international human rights obligations.

In March, elections that were not free, fair, inclusive or credible prolonged Putin’s hold over Russia and its people.

We are deeply troubled by the crackdowns on journalists, human rights defenders, religious figures and ordinary citizens who seek to express their legitimate concerns, including their opposition to Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

We also recognise the cultural loss caused by Russia’s censorship of dissident art and artists, and their being forced into exile.

We reiterate our call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained for merely seeking to exercise their human rights.

Madame Rapporteur, how can the international community support ordinary Russians and independent voices that remain in Russia who want to see an end to their country’s human rights violations?