The ICJ provided its views to the Human Rights Committee, in advance of the consideration of the Periodic Report of the Russian Federation.
This submission focuses on violations of human rights in the context of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism laws and practices, and on the erosion of the independence of judges and lawyers.
In particular, the ICJ wishes to highlight the lack of independent and effective investigations, and impunity, for gross violations of human rights in counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya and the North Caucasus; increasing harassment and persecution of lawyers; harassment and restrictions on the rights of human rights defenders; provisions of counter-terrorism legislation that risk violations of Covenant rights; and extradition and other transfers of suspects to countries within the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, in violation of the obligation of non-refoulement to face a danger of torture or other serious violation of human rights.
Russia-ICJ submission Human Rights Committee-non-legal submission-2009 (full text, PDF)