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The Australian authorities has imposed journey bans and sanctions on 14 people for repressing civil society in Russia and for enabling the invasion of Ukraine, International Minister Penny Wong stated on Wednesday.
“The human rights state of affairs in Russia continues to deteriorate with violent crackdowns aimed toward suppressing human rights and anti-war advocacy,” Wong stated in a press release.
“We condemn Russia’s intimidation and reprisals in opposition to civil society and human rights defenders, and reiterate our name for Russia to adjust to its worldwide human rights obligations.”
Wong made the announcement forward of a gathering with Russian opposition determine Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who died whereas in custody in 2024.
“Ms Navalnaya is a fearless voice for democracy in Russia, persevering with her combat at immense private value,” Wong stated.
“Russia didn’t undertake an unbiased and clear investigation into Mr Navalny’s loss of life, and Australia holds [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin and the Russian Authorities accountable.”
The 14 newly listed people are both present or former Russian ministers, or have been deemed by the Australian authorities to have carried out actions of “financial or strategic significance to Russia.”
Wong stated they had been additionally chargeable for “enabling the unlawful and immoral invasion of Ukraine.”
Navalny died in a Siberian penal colony within the Arctic Circle in February 2024 whereas serving a 19-year sentence on what he stated had been politically motivated fees. Although the circumstances of his loss of life haven’t been clarified, Navalny’s household and allies, in addition to some Western leaders, have blamed Putin.
The outstanding activist and Putin critic survived a poisoning assault with the nerve agent Novichok in 2020 however was arrested on his return to Russia in January 2021 and subjected to a collection of trials.
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