US kicks as Russia designates Aleksey Navalny-affiliated organizations Extremist

 

WASHINGTON – The United States of America has condemned the decision of Moscow court to designate all three organisations affiliated to opposition figure, Aleksey  Navalny  as extremist .

In a statement,  spokesman Department of State,  Ned Price said the designation of companies affiliated to Nalvany, a Russian lawyer who is now in prison puts staff members, volunteers, and thousands of supporters across Russia at risk of criminal prosecution and imprisonment for exercising fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Russian Constitution.

“It further restricts the ability of opposition candidates to appear on the ballot in the September Duma elections”, the statement said, adding that with this action, Russia has effectively criminalized one of the country’s few remaining independent political movements.

It noted that while the scale of today’s action is particularly disturbing, it is indicative of the Russian government’s widening crackdown on political opposition, civil society, and independent media.

Mr. Navalny himself remains in poor health, imprisoned on politically fabricated grounds, the statement added and  called for his immediate and unconditional release.

“This is not the first time Russian authorities have labeled groups “extremist” in order to stigmatize supporters and justify abuses against them.

“In 2017, the Jehovah’s Witnesses were designated an “extremist” organization, effectively criminalizing the exercise of their peaceful religious practices.  To date, dozens of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been wrongly imprisoned, and hundreds more have faced harassment and discrimination for such simple acts as meeting to pray and handing out literature.

“We urge Russia to cease the abuse of “extremism” designations to target nonviolent organizations, end its repression of Mr. Navalny and his supporters, and honor its international obligations to respect and ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms”, the statement noted.

It pointed out that the Russian people, like all people, have the right to speak freely, form peaceful associations to common ends, exercise religious freedom, and have their voices heard through free and fair elections.