Amnesty International has stated that the deterioration of situation with freedom of speech in Russia
In its annual report human rights defenders said that in world politics in 2016 was actively used “hate speech”.
Moscow. 22 Feb. INTERFAX.RU — IN Russia in 2016 increased the pressure on freedom of expression, said Amnesty International in a published annual report.
“Tightened restrictions on freedom of expression, Association and peaceful Assembly”, — stated in it.
Human rights activists say that the authorities of the Russian Federation in 2016 a policy to tighten legislation in this area. The most striking example of call was adopted in June 2016 “Spring package”.
“We note that the amendments to the anti-extremist legislation is, in many ways contrary to the obligations assumed by the Russian Federation in the framework of international law”, — said the head of the representative office of Amnesty International in Russia Sergey Nikitin.
In the registry of foreign agents for the year 2016 were made to dozens of independent human rights, environmental, women’s and socially oriented non-profit organizations, including the international “memorial” society, “one of the leading non-profit organizations of the Russian Federation, which has a long history,” noted in the organization.
The report also refers to “widespread and systematic use of torture and ill-treatment” in detention centres and penal colonies in Russia. In addition, Amnesty International draw attention to the problem of lack of adequate medical care in places of detention.
The situation in Ukraine
The conflict in the Donbass in 2016, continued to have a negative impact on the situation of human rights in Ukraine, the report said.
It is said that the Ukrainian authorities and the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics, “produced illegal detention with the aim of further exchange of prisoners”.
Independent media and civil society activists in 2016, did not get the opportunity to work on the territory of the DNI and LC, as noted in Amnesty International.
“Harassment and threats faced and the media controlled by the Ukrainian authorities territories in the first place those whose editorial policy was considered by their critics as Pro-Russian or proseparatist”, — the report says.
“Hate speech” in world politics
In General in world politics in 2016 was actively used “hate speech”, human rights activists say.
“Tectonic political changes in 2016 have demonstrated the effectiveness of hate speech used by politicians around the world. The success of the campaign of Donald trump, marked by abusive language — just one example of this,” says the report.
The use of this rhetoric in 2016 is largely determined by the policies and practices of a large number of States: countries did not respond to war crimes, passed laws that deny the right to seek asylum and in violation of freedom of expression, justified the torture and expanded police powers, say Amnesty International.
“36 countries violated international law, illegally sending refugees back to countries where they may have violated their rights,” reads the report.
Amnesty International called the “illegal and irresponsible” agreement of the EU with Turkey on the return of refugees back to this country, where, according to human rights activists, cannot be guaranteed their safety. Mexico and the United States continues to deport people fleeing violence in Central America, already in 2017, the President of the United States trump has signed a decree, which should prevent the refugees who fled the conflict zone, to enter the country, the report said.
According to the organization, “mass repression” in 2016, was conducted in China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Thailand and Turkey; France and the UK abused the measures to ensure security.
“The first goal was a refugee, but if it continues in 2017, would have an impact on other groups. That in turn will lead to further attacks on the basis of race, sex, nationality and religion,” — said the head of the organization Salil Shetty, whose words were quoted in the press service of Amnesty International.
In 2016, Amnesty International has documented serious human rights violations in 159 countries.