Russia Faces UN Criticism Over Escalating Crackdown on Journalists

Geneva, The United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Turk expressed serious concerns on Tuesday about the increasing number of journalists in Russia facing charges, convictions, and imprisonment for their independent reporting. This development marks a significant intensification in the efforts to suppress dissent within the country.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, “The continuous attacks on free speech and the criminalization of independent journalism in Russia are very troubling.” Turk highlighted that the crackdown on the independent work of journalists must immediately cease, emphasizing the importance of upholding the right to inform, a fundamental aspect of the right to freedom of expression.

Since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Russia has seen a record high in the number of journalists imprisoned. Currently, at least 30 journalists are detained under a slew of criminal charges, including terrorism, extremism, and spreading false information about the armed forces, among others. Twelve of these reporters are serving lengthy prison sentences, with terms ranging from five-and-a-half to 22 years.

The situation has worsened since March, with at least seven journalists facing new administrative or criminal charges, especially those who criticized Russia’s actions in Ukraine or were connected to the late opposition politician Alexey Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation, which Russia labeled as ‘extremist’ in 2021.

“The Russian authorities appear to be attempting to further strengthen control of the narrative, both around domestic issues and the conduct of hostilities in Ukraine. As a result, people in Russia have increasingly restricted access to non-State information and viewpoints, which hampers their ability to benefit from diverse sources and make fully informed decisions on matters of vital public interest,” Turk stated.

He also raised concerns about the broad use of legislation to combat terrorism and extremism, urging Russian authorities to amend their laws to comply fully with the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality under international human rights law.

Turk concluded by advocating for a safer working environment for journalists, free from fear of reprisal, in line with Russia’s international human rights obligations. He called for the immediate dropping of charges against journalists detained solely for performing their duties and their subsequent release.