Human Rights Committee

Statement of the Human Rights Committee on the consideration of the eighth periodic report of the Russian Federation, scheduled to be held on 3 and 4 March 2022, during the Committee’s 134th session *

1.The Human Rights Committee expresses its extreme concern at the ongoing military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, conducted in breach of the fundamental principles of the United Nations, including the prohibition of the threat or use of force. The Committee recalls the preamble of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, according to which the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

2.As the independent monitoring body established under the Covenant to supervise the implementation of the rights provided for under the Covenant, the Committee deeply regrets that the State party has informed it that the delegation of the State party will not be able to travel to Geneva to participate in the consideration of the State party’s eighth periodic report, which was scheduled to be held on 3 and 4 March 2022, during the Committee’s 134th session.

3.The Committee reminds the State party that it is bound by article 2 of the Covenant to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, as well as to individuals under its effective control, the rights recognized in the Covenant. The Committee urges the State party to take all measures necessary to comply with its obligations, in particular with the right to life, the supreme right from which no derogation is permitted, even in situations of armed conflict.

4.The Committee expects the State party to come before it for the consideration of its eighth periodic report at the 135th session, to be held from 27 June to 29 July 2022.