HRC61 - EU Statement - Item 4 | EEAS 4 of 9 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc61-eu-statement... Regarding Russia, the EU condemns the structural system of human rights violations, which are part of a further intensifying systematic, state-sponsored internal repression, including use of arbitrary detention and widespread and systematic use of torture and illtreatment. The EU is deeply concerned about the systematic crackdown on civil society, especially on human rights defenders, lawyers, independent media and journalists, as well as the repression of political opposition, LGBTI persons and citizens with dissenting voices in Russia, alongside transnational repression. We urge Russia to abolish its repressive legislation, and to align its domestic legislation with international human rights law and to ensure a safe and enabling online and offline environment for all. We also call on Russia to end its political misuse of the judiciary and law enforcement. We remain concerned about reports, including the recent report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Russian Federation, that extensive abuse of counter-terrorism, extremism, treason, espionage and other national security-related provisions in the Russian Criminal Code disproportionately targets dissent, anti-war expression and peaceful protest protected under international law. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release and rehabilitation of all political prisoners and persons arbitrarily detained. The EU calls on Russia to fully implement all outstanding rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. The EU also calls on Russia to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of Indigenous Peoples as set out in the UNDRIP and other international human rights law. 16 February 2026 marks two years since the death of Russian opposition leader politician Alexei Navalny for which the ultimate responsibility lies with the Russian authorities. The EU also recalls the eleventh anniversary of assassination of Boris Nemtsov, which took place in Moscow on 27 February 2015. The EU recalls the obligation under international law to conduct independent and transparent investigations of these deaths and to bring all those responsible to account. The EU calls on the Russian Federation to cooperate fully with the UN and all special procedures. The EU strongly condemns the gross, systematic and widespread human rights violations, restrictions to political participation and to independent media in Belarus. The EU remains concerned about intimidation campaigns against all segments of Belarusian society. The EU urges the Belarusian authorities to halt any type of repression and refrain from any further arbitrary arrests. The EU expresses its deep concern about the closed civic space in Belarus. The EU reiterates its previously expressed concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of elections. The EU notes the recent release of some political prisoners and urges Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release and rehabilitate all political prisoners, ensuring the resolution of judicial processes upon their release and ending all forms of harassment or pressure that may result in their forced departure, deportation or deprivation of consular services. The EU is concerned about the inhumane detention conditions and reports of torture and other ill-treatment in Belarus as well as systematic 25/03/2026, 16:51