UN slams Russia’s ban on anti-war party in elections
UN rights chief Volker Turk calls for freedom of expression after Yabloko is barred and party leader Lev Shlosberg is jailed for more than 11 years over anti-war speech.
The United Nations has strongly condemned Russia's decision to prohibit the country's sole anti-war political party, Yabloko, from participating in upcoming parliamentary elections, as well as the lengthy prison sentence given to the party's deputy chair, Lev Shlosberg. The UN's rights chief Volker Turk expressed alarm over both actions, emphasizing the need for respect for freedom of expression.
The ban came after Russia's Supreme Court confirmed a previous ruling to exclude Yabloko from the elections, following a dispute over the party's foreign funding and copyright violations. Shlosberg, 63, received an 11-year prison term for criticizing Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, despite being one of the few Kremlin critics remaining in the country.
The UN's office called on authorities to uphold freedom of expression and the citizens' right to freely participate in electoral processes.
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- UN slams Russia’s ban on anti-war party in elections freemalaysiatoday.com
