UN – Mariana Katzarova Special Rapporteur human rights in Russian Federation
United Nations, NYC (Oct 28, 2025) — Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, presentated of her report to General Assembly Third Committee addressing following her report presentation to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee.
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, highlighted intensifying repression in Russia.
She called for the release of political and Ukrainian detainees, accountability for torture and other serious crimes, and an end to using “national security” to silence dissent, particularly against anti-war protestors, LGBT communities, and ethnic minorities.
Katzarova stated that justice within Russia is “unattainable” and urged the international community to use universal jurisdiction to prosecute perpetrators.
Key points from Katzarova’s report and press briefing Crackdown on dissent: Katzarova reported on a “rule of fear” strategy to silence anti-war dissent and a widening scope of repression.
Politically motivated detentions: She called for the immediate release of all those held on politically motivated grounds and of Ukrainian civilians and children.
Torture and accountability: Her report documented torture and other serious crimes in custody and stressed the need for international accountability frameworks to prosecute perpetrators.
Discrimination: The report highlighted escalated targeting of LGBT communities, Indigenous Peoples, ethnic minorities, and migrants.
Persecution of lawyers: Katzarova noted the intensifying persecution of lawyers who defend individuals in politically sensitive cases, with some facing criminal charges or disbarment.
Closed trials: She raised concerns about the increased use of closed-door trials, which prevent public scrutiny, particularly in politically motivated cases.
Misuse of laws: The report noted the abuse of “national security” and “extremism” charges to target civilians, including the justification of terrorism.
Cultural and literary crackdown: Katzarova mentioned the suppression of culture and literature, citing the case of novelist Boris Akunin and the banning of books by Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich.
