The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) today condemned the “severe persecution” and repression of dissent in Russia and Belarus amid the illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine.
In adopting a resolution based on the report by Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir (Iceland, SOC), PACE highlighted a “significant rise in the number of political prisoners” and the suppression of fundamental freedoms in Russia and Belarus.
Among those targeted is historian and politician Vladimir Kara-Murza, who received a 25-year prison sentence from the Russian authorities. He is suffering from deteriorating health conditions, exacerbated by “inhumane conditions” in a Siberian penal colony.
The Assembly, therefore, called for the Russian Federation and Belarus to “cease the threats, intimidation and prosecution of individuals who have been targeted due to their anti-war stance” and to ensure their immediate release from detention. Highlighting concerns over human rights violations, the parliamentarians demanded compliance with international standards, including access to medical care and legal representation for detainees.
PACE emphasised the continued activity of anti-war movements in Russia and Belarus, despite their “systematic persecution”. The Assembly called on member and observer States of the Council of Europe to publicly highlight the continuation and ongoing work of the anti-war movements, and provide them with greater support. PACE called on member and observer States to explore further steps to provide information to the Russian population by cutting through the Kremlin’s information blockade, including by facilitating the work of Russian media organisations in exile.
Recognising the “dire conditions” faced by those opposing the war, the Assembly called on member and observer States to “deploy diplomatic efforts to secure the release of political prisoners in the Russian Federation and Belarus”, including through prisoner swaps.
Furthermore, the Assembly urged support for individuals fleeing persecution, including facilitating legal entry, providing socio-economic assistance, and refusing politically motivated extradition requests.
