The UN Human Rights Council extends the mandate of the special rapporteur on Russia for one year

The UN Human Rights Council approved this Thursday a resolution that extends for one year the mandate of the special rapporteur in Russia, Bulgarian Mariana Katzarova, to document alleged human rights violations in the country.

The resolution, approved with 18 votes in favor, seven against and 22 abstentions, has “strongly” urged the Russian authorities to comply with all the State’s obligations under International Law. In addition, the text has asked Moscow to “establish full and non-selective engagement” with all UN Human Rights mechanisms, constructive communication and full cooperation with the independent expert’s mandate.

In this sense, the main human rights body of the United Nations has requested that the rapporteur have “unhindered access” to visit the country and meet “freely” with interested parties, including civil society, human rights defenders and detainees. . In turn, the Council has urged the Kremlin to “refrain from all forms of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and associations that cooperate with these bodies.”

The mandate was established by the Council a year ago, since then Katzarova has noted a “significant deterioration” of human rights in the country and a “systematic repression” since the invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.