On the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the Law on Foreign Agents, on Wednesday 20 July EU High Representative Josep Borrell, on behalf of the EU, strongly condemned the systematic attempts to instil fear and repress civil society, independent media and democratic opposition in Russia.
According to Mr Borrell, as a result of war-related censorship and the repressive legislative framework – including laws on foreign agents, ‘undesirable organisations’ (2015) and ‘fake news’ (2022) – political opposition, human rights defenders, LGBTI people, independent journalists, media workers and other Russian residents fearing state repression have been forced to flee their own country while local and international civil society organisations and independent international and Russian media outlets have been shut down or forced to liquidate.
“We call once again on Russian authorities to abide by their international obligations and commitments regarding the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms”, he said.
The High Representative also warned that the EU would continue to support the important work of civil society organisations, human rights defenders and independent media outlets and journalists in Russia and abroad.
See the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/2p1 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)