Human Rights Council 57th Session Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation

Delivered by Policy Officer Melitta Rigamoto.

Thank you, Mr President,

New Zealand thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.

We remain deeply concerned by the grave human rights situation in Russia. The atrocities committed by Russia in its illegal war against Ukraine have been accompanied by intensified oppression of Russia's own citizens.

Freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association remain severely restricted. Critics of the government are subject to reprisals and arbitrary detention, where torture and other ill-treatment is widespread.

We remain extremely concerned over Russia's continuing and worsening repression of political opposition. We hold the Russian Government responsible for Alexei Navalny's death, and continue to support calls for an independent investigation into his death.

The important work of the Special Rapporteur helps to bring continued scrutiny of human rights violations. For this reason, New Zealand will again support its renewal this session.

The Special Rapporteur's report comes at a crucial time for Russia's citizens. We call on the Russian Federation to fulfil its international human rights obligations.

We ask, how can the international community strengthen accountability for human rights violations in Russia?

Thank you

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