Russia is allegedly holding nearly 1,800 people as political prisoners, 16 European countries informed the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday.
In a statement on human rights in Russia and on the 2nd commemoration of Alexei Navalny’s death, the group condemned “continued repression” in Russia and called for the release of political captives.
The nations are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and the United Kingdom.
Czechia’s Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Jan Marian, expressed their collective condolences to Navalny’s family, adding that “Russian authorities remain solely responsible” for his demise.
The diplomat pointed to the February 3rd judgment by the European Court of Human Rights on Moscow’s culpability in the “inhuman and degrading treatment” of Navalny in detention.
The countries reiterated their demand for a thorough and transparent investigation into his death, on the heels of the investigation by the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
The Kremlin is accused of expanding its “repertoire of repressive tactics” and using the national security legislation to target human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, and doctors, among others.
The joint statement cited the findings by the UN Special Rapporteur on how political prisoners are tortured, denied adequate medical treatment, and placed in forced psychiatric detention.
It quoted reports by independent human rights monitor OVD-Info, regarding more than 1,700 people currently detained in Russia on political grounds, including Ukrainian political prisoners.
The allies vowed to stand by the brave Russian human rights defenders and independent civil society actors, who continue their work in spite of “greater personal risks.”
“The repression inside Russia enables its aggression abroad,” the statement reads. “The Russian authorities must fully comply with all their international obligations and release all political prisoners.”
