more than 40 countries demand an independent international investigation into the circumstances of the death of the Russian opponent

They speak with one voice to get answers. In total, 43 countries, including the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, launched a joint call on Monday March 4 for an international investigation into the death of opponent Alexeï Navalny, Friday February 16, during his detention in Russia. “We are outraged by the death of the politician (…), whose ultimate responsibility lies with (Russian) President Vladimir Putin and the Russian authorities”EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen told the Human Rights Council in Geneva, speaking on behalf of these 43 countries.

“Russia must authorize an independent and transparent international investigation into the circumstances of this sudden death”estimate the 43 countries, assuring in a press release that this death constitutes a “new sign of growing and systematic repression in Russia”. These countries more generally call on Russia to release political prisoners, journalists, human rights defenders and opponents of the war in Ukraine. “We call on the Russian Federation to end this climate of impunity and create a safe environment for political opposition and critical voices”they write.