Overview

Russia continued its war of aggression against Ukraine. Restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association intensified. Censorship of the internet escalated. Violations of the right to freedom of religion and belief continued. Legislation was weaponized to clamp down on dissenters. Arbitrary detentions on fabricated charges, coupled with a lack of independent and impartial investigations and unfair trials, remained a hallmark of the law enforcement and justice systems. Torture and other ill-treatment was endemic and perpetrated with near total impunity. Detainees were held in inhuman or degrading conditions. Restrictive requirements kept most migrant children from enrolling in school. The LGBTI community continued to be outlawed and queer culture supressed. Domestic violence remained absent from the legislative agenda. More regional authorities introduced barriers to abortion. Economic considerations prevailed over obligations to take action on climate change.