The OSCE Moscow Mechanism invoked in relation to human rights violations in Russia
On 28 July, 38 participating States of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), including Lithuania, invoked one of the OSCE's Human Dimension instruments - the Moscow Mechanism - on Human Rights Violations in Russia. Under this mechanism, a mission of independent experts is established to report on the extent to which Russia's legislation and actions of its administrative institutions comply with its human rights obligations.
The OSCE participating states are deeply concerned about the actions of the Russian authorities, which undermine democracy and human rights, disregard the rule of law, and seek to crack down on independent civil society, independent media and political opposition. During Russia's ongoing war of agression against Ukraine, freedom of expression, as well as freedom of assembly and association, have been further restricted in Russia.
This is the seventh time that this OSCE mechanism has been used. The last two times, it was invoked to assess possible violations of human rights and humanitarian law, as well as possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Russia in Ukraine, following its military aggression against Ukraine, with support of Belarus, started on 24 February.
The statement of the participating State invoking the OSCE Moscow Mechanism is available here.
