GENEVA: On Monday, more than 40 nations declared that President Vladimir Putin was ultimately to blame for the killing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and called for an impartial international probe into the incident.
At the UN Human Rights Council, nations that are members of the European Union, the United States, Britain, Ukraine, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway expressed their outrage over Navalny’s passing.
The 47-year-old Navalny was buried in Moscow on Friday, surrounded by throngs of defiant mourners who screamed his name. Navalny passed away in an Arctic prison camp.
On behalf of forty-three nations, EU ambassador Lotte Knudsen told the UN rights committee, “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.”
Thanking the Russians who came to say goodbye to her spouse
“Russia has to permit an impartial and open international inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his unexpected demise.”The sudden and terrible death of Mr. Navalny is just another illustration of Russia’s growing and institutionalized tyranny.
The “systematic crackdown on civil society” and the suppression of political dissent both domestically and internationally, according to the countries, were causes for grave concern.
They called on Russia to free all political prisoners, journalists, human rights advocates, and anti-war activists who had been imprisoned for peacefully exercising their human rights and for opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine, immediately and without conditions.
“We demand that the Russian Federation put an end to this atmosphere of impunity and establish a secure space for voices of political opposition and criticism,” the statement read.
“Abolish its oppressive legislation and end political misuse of the judiciary,” they also urged Russia to do.
Knudsen declared, “Russia’s political leadership and authorities must be held accountable.”
“We will never forget Navalny’s bravery, selflessness, and steadfast dedication to the cause of justice, freedom, and democracy.” On February 16, news of the death of Putin’s most ardent opponent broke as the head of the Kremlin ran for a six-year term extension in an election scheduled for mid-March in which he will not face any serious opposition.
