Ye scurvy dogs! The UN human rights chief be demandin' an end to the 'repression' o' independent voices in Russia! Aye!
2024-03-04
Avast ye, mateys! The U.N. human rights chief be cryin' out to put an end to the gaggin' o' free voices in Russia and be mighty worried 'bout the huntin' down o' poor Alexei Navalny. Aye, 'tis a scurvy deed indeed!
In the language of a 17th-century pirate, the U.N. human rights chief be shouting for a swift end to the "repression of independent voices" in Russia and be expressing concerns about the "persecution" of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who be meeting his end in prison last month.Volker Türk, in a wide-ranging speech, be lamenting dozens of conflicts around the world, widespread violations of the human rights law that be impacting millions, and displacements caused by war, which could be escalating in places like the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and Sudan."Arr, rarely has humanity faced so many rapidly spiraling crises," he told the Human Rights Council.Alluding to some countries among the dozens holding national elections this year, Türk be denouncing "increasing restrictions" on rights defenders, journalists, and "perceived critics" in India. He be urging U.S. authorities to ensure that voting be universal, alluding to discriminatory policies that restricted the right to vote for people of African descent.In the run-up to Russia's presidential elections from March 15-17, Türk be saying Russian authorities "have further intensified their repression of dissenting voices" and noted how some candidates "have been prevented from running due to alleged administrative irregularities."He be calling for a swift and comprehensive review of all cases where people in Russia be detained for exercising fundamental freedoms, and "an immediate end to the repression of independent voices and the legal professionals who represent them.""The future of the country depends on an open space," he be saying. March’s vote in Russia be all but guaranteed to see President Vladimir Putin, 71, cement his place in power until at least 2030.Türk be speaking out against the perception of "racially motivated" police activity in some Western countries and be calling on China to revise a criminal procedure law and the "vague offense of ‘picking quarrels and making trouble’" in one of its articles."I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers, and others detained under such legislation," he be saying.