“Censorship of the media and humanitarian organizations, harassment of activists, and ongoing violations of freedom of speech and association further narrow the civic space in the country,” the UN experts said in a statement.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, about 60 criminal cases have been opened for “false information about the war”, at least seven for “discrediting” and “calling for obstruction” of the Russian army.
They noted that for almost five months police had used excessive force against detainees protesting the advance of Russian troops, often resorting to humiliation and threats.
In addition, almost all independent media in the country were censored, as well as dozens of foreign newspapers or journalists.
According to experts, about twenty media outlets have been suspended in Russia, including the newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which is run by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov.
Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have also been shut down or blocked, and WhatsApp’s “parent” app, Meta, has been shut down as a “criminal organization.”
The UN called on Russia to lift restrictive sanctions and respect freedom of expression and association, as well as the work of activists and journalists.
Signatory Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights (Mary Lawlor), Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association (Clément Nyaletsossi) and Freedom of Expression (Irene Hahn).
Early on February 24, Russia launched a military offensive in Ukraine that killed more than 5,000 civilians, according to the latest UN figures.
However, the organization warns that the real numbers could be much higher.
