HRC49: Item 3 – Interactive Dialogue – SR Human Rights Defenders
HRHF video statement
11 March 2022
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The Special Rapporteur is right to highlight in her report that “human rights defenders fighting corruption are often in severe danger” and we recognise it as a growing problem for many human rights defenders in Eastern Europe.
In Azerbaijan, several colleagues have been targeted in recent years for their anti-corruption work. The authorities have used trumped up charges of defamation to send human rights defenders to prison for seeking to expose high-level corruption, and prison sentences are often combined with various forms of harassment and repression.
Across Europe more generally, we would draw the attention of the Special Rapporteur to the use of “strategic lawsuits against public participation” or SLAPPs.
These abusive lawsuits have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, are connected to restricting other fundamental freedoms and are increasingly being used across Europe, including in Russia, Poland, Croatia and Serbia, to silence those working on anti-corruption issues.
President.
We strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and have been appalled by the violence inflicted upon the Ukrainian people as a result of Russia’s war.
Even as we do everything we can to assist our Ukrainian colleagues and friends, we also have renewed concerns for the safety of human rights defenders in Russia.
We ask the Special Rapporteur what more can be done to assist Russian human rights defenders and ensure they continue to have a voice at an international level.
Thank you.
