Russia’s continuing aggression against Ukraine dominated an embattled rights landscape, with the region at the forefront of the global downswing against human rights. The war and increasingly authoritarian practices saw a growing number of countries move in tandem as they rejected their human rights obligations and undermined national and international institutions. Champions of human rights were left under siege.
Russia’s relentless violations of international humanitarian law and crimes under international law, including direct attacks on civilian infrastructure, saw an incessant loss of life and a dramatic drop in basic living conditions in Ukraine, along with growing suffering among children and other at-risk groups.
Impunity persisted for these crimes, as well as for violations in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and many governments in Eastern Europe and Central Asia led audacious assaults on human rights with little prospect of accountability. Civil society was under direct attack and shrank in many countries, operating in a climate of fear and secrecy. Rights defenders were jailed or forced into exile. Peaceful protesters braved growing repression despite unprecedented violence. Notwithstanding the courageous efforts of many, the impact of the human rights community visibly declined.
The abuse of extremist and terrorist legislation, and official rhetoric of “traditional values”, stifled gender and sexual and reproductive rights, in particular. Monitoring activities, including by international organizations, were increasingly constrained. Transnational persecution of exiled activists increased, exposing further the weakness of national and international mechanisms in protecting human rights.
Freedom of religion and belief saw setbacks. Justice systems were blatantly weaponized to suppress dissent, and torture and other ill-treatment remained endemic. Gender-based violence increased. The rights of refugees and migrants continued to be eroded.
Fossil fuel production and consumption grew, contributing to air pollution, which blighted human health.
Discrimination, profiling, stigmatization and harassment based on identity including race, religion, gender and sexuality were themes that permeated every aspect of human rights protection and guarantees. Reports of hate crimes spiked.
Overly broad and vague counterterrorism laws were used to suppress freedom of expression, association and assembly. Unnecessary or excessive force was used by police against peaceful protesters, with some deprived of liberty for peaceful acts of civil disobedience. Surveillance technologies were used extensively to chilling effect.
An arsenal of hostile, repressive laws was also deployed to deter and punish solidarity with Palestinians or criticism of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. The commitment of governments across Europe to international law was tested and came up short, with some officials taking measures to shield the state of Israel from accountability. Despite the International Court of Justice and UN experts demanding that countries stop all arms transfers to Israel, some continued to export weapons and parts.
Control of borders took precedence over the rights of refugees and migrants. Torture and other ill-treatment, particularly of migrants and people with disabilities, remained a concern. Challenges persisted in accessing gender-affirmative care. Gender-based violence remained widespread. Access to housing, social security and healthcare was eroded. Disasters exacerbated by climate change wreaked havoc, particularly in southern European states.
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