Overview 113th Session – Russian Federation
The Human Rights Committee reviewed the seventh periodic report of the Russian Federation on 16 and 17 March 2015. The Committee raised a number of concerns in regards to Russia’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Specific attention was given to the treatment of members of the LGBT community, particularly the lack of protection from discrimination and hate crimes and the ban on “homosexual propaganda”. In response, the Russian delegation stridently defended the ban on distributing information about homosexuality on the basis that such material may potentially cause harm to the moral and physical development of young people. Despite Committee views to the contrary, Russian authorities saw the ban as necessary and proportionate to protect “traditional values” in Russian society.
Several Committee members raised the issue of continued discrimination of Roma minorities. Such discrimination was seen as a matter of practice rather than law, however, it was clear that continued social exclusion of Roma persons has adverse impacts in the ability to access housing, quality education, health care and employment. Committee members noted that Roma children often did not complete primary school, and rarely enrolled in secondary school due to a lack of language proficiency. The Committee asked Russia for further information about the implementation of mechanisms to further social inclusion of Roma children and adults.
Several Ukrainian NGOs submitted materials in a joint report on human rights violations in Crimea. The Committee raised several specific instances on alleged human rights allegations in the Crimea including the forced imposition of Russian nationality on Crimean residents, restricted access to Ukrainian language materials and media, and restricting freedom of religion by prohibiting the entrance of Tartar religious leaders into Crimea. In response, the Russian delegation submitted that all measures taken in Crimea were aimed at ensuring the social, economic and political integration of Crimea into Russia.
The lack of proportionality in laws restricting freedom of expression and assembly and the chilling effect this has on human rights defenders and the media was of particular concern to the Committee. These concerns were amplified by the apparent impunity of Russian authorities to investigate and prosecute alleged cases of summary executions of human rights defenders and journalists.
Several other concerns were raised by the Committee, including increased rates of violence against women; a lack of human rights protections in counter terrorism laws; allegations of torture used to obtain forced confessions; deaths in places of detention; and political interference in the judiciary, including a lack of transparency in judicial appointments.
The Committee was encouraged by the positive steps made by Russia in continuing its moratorium against the death penalty, however more information was requested about the legal status of the death penalty in Russia, including whether steps were being made to formally abolish this sentence. Several major concerns mirrored those raised in its previous review of Russia, disappointing the Committee in terms of the State Party’s willingness to actively engage with its recommendations
The Concluding Observations for which the State should provide information on the implementation within one year, concerning:
For a comprehensive overview of the discussion, see the proceedings on the OHCHR website or the webcast of the session.
The next periodic report should be submitted by Russia on the 2nd of April 2019.
