The EU has called on Russia to stop persecuting citizens through Interpol
The European Union has called on Russia to cease domestic and transnational repression, including the use of Interpol tools to persecute citizens.
Commenting on the report on the human rights situation in Russia, the EU ambassador noted the existence of a systematic mechanism of repression in Russia that operates even beyond the country’s borders to suppress criticism.
“The EU is concerned about the report’s findings, the cases of murders and poisonings, the abuse of legal and administrative procedures, the conduct of digital operations, and the use of Interpol contrary to its intended purpose — all of which are directed against individuals both within Russia and beyond its borders,” the EU representative noted.
She also expressed concern over “the ongoing systemic pressure on civil society in Russia, particularly on individuals designated as ‘foreign agents’ or extremists, as well as on human rights defenders, members of the LGBTI community, lawyers, media representatives, and journalists.”
The EU emphasized that the recent elections demonstrated a further deterioration of the political situation in Russia.
“We call on Russia to cease both domestic and transnational repression and discrimination on any grounds, in particular on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The EU... expresses serious concern regarding the use of torture, abuses of the judicial system, cases of enforced disappearances, as well as sexual and gender-based violence in Russia,” the statement reads.
The EU also calls on Russia to “immediately and unconditionally” release and rehabilitate all persons who have been arbitrarily detained.
EU Ambassador Daike Potzel delivered the statement at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, according to a Ukrinform correspondent.
An Armenian man wanted by Interpol for over 20 years was detained in Kyiv.
Interpol arrested more than 5,800 people as part of a global anti-fraud operation.
In Norway, the head of a Ukrainian bank, who was wanted by Interpol, was detained.
