On Monday, more than 40 countries urged an independent international probe into the killing of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, claiming that President Vladimir Putin had ultimate responsibility.
The European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway were among the countries who expressed their horror over Navalny’s killing at the UN Human Rights Council.
Navalny, 47, died in an Arctic prison colony and was buried in Moscow on Friday, surrounded by defiant mourners who screamed his name.
“We are outraged by the death of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, for which President Putin and the Russian authorities bear ultimate responsibility,” EU ambassador Lotte Knudsen told the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of 43 countries.
“Russia must allow for an independent and transparent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.”
“Mr Navalny’s unexpected and shocking death is yet another sign of the accelerating and systematic repression in Russia.”
The countries expressed great concern about the “systematic crackdown on civil society” and persecution of political dissent in Russia and abroad.
They called on Russia to quickly and unconditionally release all political prisoners, human rights defenders, journalists, and anti-war activists jailed for peacefully exercising their human rights and opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“We call on the Russian Federation to end this climate of impunity and create a safe environment for political opposition and critical voices,” the organization said in a statement.
They also urged Russia to “abolish its oppressive legislation and end political misuse of the judiciary”.
“Russia’s political leadership and authorities must be held to account,” he said.
“Navalny’s courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the cause of justice, freedom and democracy will never be forgotten.”
The death of Putin’s staunchest opponent was disclosed on February 16 as the Kremlin leader campaigned for a second six-year term in a mid-March election with no meaningful competition.