The UN Rights Office is Absolutely Shocked by Navalny’s Tragic Prison Passing
Mr. Navalny, 47, had lost consciousness and could not be revived, according to media reports.
“If someone dies in the custody of the State, the presumption is that the State is responsible – a responsibility that can only be rebutted through an impartial, thorough and transparent investigation carried out by an independent body,” said OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell, calling on Russia “to ensure such a credible investigation is carried out”.
Calls for protection
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Any State has a heightened duty to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty, the UN rights office said.
Ms. Throssell also called on Russia to end its persecution of opposition politicians, human rights defenders and journalists, among others.
“All those who are held or have been sentenced to various prison terms in relation to the legitimate exercise of their rights, including the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, should be immediately released and all charges against them dropped,” Ms. Throssell said.
The Russian authorities – like all States – have a duty under international law to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty. A comprehensive and independent investigation, including a full autopsy must be carried out as a matter of urgency.
Navalny faced multiple charges
Mr. Navalny was serving several sentences, including fresh charges of extremism announced in August, following his arrest in 2021.
OHCHR had “repeatedly raised serious concerns relating to the charges against Navalny and his repeated detention which appeared to be arbitrary”, Ms. Throssell said.
Last August, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk highlighted that the latest 19-year sentence raised questions about judicial harassment and instrumentalization of the court system for political purposes in Russia and called for Mr. Navalny’s release, the spokesperson said.
Disappeared in December
Mariana Katzarova, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, issued an alert in December voicing concern over the enforced disappearance of Mr. Navalny, whose whereabouts and wellbeing were unknown after more than 10 days.
In late December, Mr. Navalny was transferred to the prison where he has reportedly died.
Unsplash/Liza Pooor
A demonstration in support of Alexsei Navalny in London, UK. (file)
‘Bleak day for rule of law’
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Edwards said that several UN independent experts, including herself, privately and publicly urged the Russian Government to end the punitive conditions in which Mr. Navalny was held.
She said they had called for an investigation into credible allegations of torture against Mr. Navalny and told the authorities of the essential need for him to receive medical treatment, especially following his alleged poisoning in 2020, she said.
“That our appeals to the Kremlin were ignored so blatantly and with such disregard for human life is a tragedy for Mr. Navalny, his family and supporters,” she said. “It is also a bleak day for the rule of law, free expression and human rights.”
Long-time critic
Since the early 2000s, he has been a vocal anti-corruption activist and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading protests and garnering support.
In 2020, Mr. Navalny was hospitalized for injuries sustained from a poisoning that involved Novichok, a nerve agent developed by Russia during the cold war.
The media reported that on Thursday, Mr. Navalny had appeared in court via video. News reports also noted that Mr. Navalny’s spokesperson was asking for confirmation and further details of his death.
UN chief calls for full inquiry
The UN Secretary-General is “shocked by the reported death”, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at the Noon Briefing in New York.
“The Secretary-General calls for a full, credible and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Navalny’s reported death in custody,” Mr. Dujarric said.
Special Rapporteurs
Special Rapporteurs and other rights experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
The death of Navalny in Russian custody is indeed appalling. Any State has a heightened duty to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty. It is imperative for Russia to conduct a credible investigation carried out by an independent body to uphold accountability and justice.
As an advocate for human rights, it is disheartening to hear about Navalny’s tragic death. The State must be held accountable, and a thorough investigation is imperative to uncover the truth. It’s time for Russia to respect the rights of all individuals, release those unjustly held, and uphold the duty to protect lives in custody.
How can we ensure that Russia will conduct a credible investigation into Navalny’s death in custody?
One way to ensure that Russia conducts a credible investigation into Navalny’s death in custody is through international pressure and monitoring. Countries and organizations must consistently call for transparency and accountability, pushing Russia to uphold its duty to investigate independently and thoroughly.
As a journalist who has covered human rights issues extensively, it’s heartbreaking to hear about Navalny’s tragic passing. The responsibility for his death lies with the State, which must conduct a transparent investigation to determine the truth. The call for his protection and the release of other political prisoners is a crucial step towards upholding human rights. Let’s hope justice prevails.
Any State has a heightened duty to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty, as highlighted by the UN rights office. Ms. Throssell rightly points out the necessity for Russia to cease its persecution of opposition figures and ensure the release of those unjustly held. It is imperative for a thorough investigation to be conducted promptly. Navalny’s case underscores the importance of upholding human rights obligations.
The tragic passing of Mr. Navalny in state custody is deeply troubling. If responsibility lies with the State, a thorough and transparent investigation by an independent body is imperative. Calls for protection should be heeded, and those unjustly held for their rights must be released immediately. Russia must uphold its duty to safeguard the lives of detainees.
How can we ensure an impartial investigation when the State itself is involved in the persecution of individuals exercising their rights as in this case?
It is indeed a challenging situation when the State accused of wrongdoing is also tasked with conducting an impartial investigation. One possible solution could be to involve an external, independent entity with no ties to the State to oversee the investigation process.
As an avid follower of human rights issues, I am deeply concerned about the tragic passing of Mr. Navalny. The State’s responsibility in such cases cannot be overlooked, and a thorough investigation by independent authorities is crucial. My heart goes out to all those who are unjustly detained for voicing their opinions, and I echo the call for their immediate release and dropping of charges. Let’s ensure justice prevails.
It is truly heartbreaking to hear about Navalny’s passing in custody. If the State fails to protect those deprived of their liberty, it must be held accountable. Russia must conduct a transparent investigation to establish the truth and ensure justice. My thoughts are with Navalny’s loved ones during this difficult time.
Any State has a heightened duty to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty, the UN rights office said. Ms. Throssell also called on Russia to end its persecution of opposition politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists, among others. “All those who are held or have been sentenced to various prison terms in relation to the legitimate exercise of their rights, including the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, should be immediately released and all charges against them dropped,” Ms. Throssell said. The Russian authorities – like all States – have a duty under international law to protect the lives of individuals deprived of their liberty. A comprehensive and independent investigation, including a full autopsy, must be carried out as a matter of urgency. Navalny faced multiple charges. Mr. Navalny was serving several sentences, including fresh charges of extremism announced in August, following his arrest in 2021. OHCHR had “repeated
Could the Russian authorities truly conduct an impartial investigation, as suggested by OHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell, given their history of persecution of opposition figures?
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about Navalny’s passing. The responsibility lies with the State when someone dies in custody, and a thorough investigation is crucial for justice. Let’s hope for transparency and accountability. #JusticeForNavalny