Russia is allegedly detaining nearly 1,800 individuals as political prisoners, according to 16 European countries that addressed the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Thursday.
In a statement focused on human rights in Russia and marking the second anniversary of Alexei Navalny’s death, the group denounced “continued repression” in the country and demanded the release of political detainees.
The nations involved include 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, conveyed their joint condolences to Navalny’s family, stressing that “Russian authorities remain solely responsible” for his demise.
The diplomat referenced the February 3 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights regarding Moscow’s responsibility for the “inhuman and degrading treatment” Navalny endured while in detention.
The countries renewed their call for a comprehensive and transparent probe into his death, following earlier investigations by the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
The Kremlin is accused of broadening its “repertoire of repressive tactics” and deploying national security laws to target activists, journalists, lawyers, and medical professionals.
The joint statement referenced findings from the UN Special Rapporteur, detailing how political prisoners are subjected to torture, denied proper medical care, and placed in forced psychiatric detention.
It also cited reports from independent human rights group OVD-Info, which indicate that more than 1,700 people are currently being held in Russia for political reasons, including Ukrainian detainees.
The allies pledged support for Russian human rights defenders and independent civil society groups who continue their work despite facing “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.”