Guernica 37 Press Statement

Guernica 37 barrister Alex Prezanti secures interim measures from the United Nations Human Rights Committee asking Russia to provide proof of life, whereabouts, status of health for and immediate access to legal counsel to Mr Alexei Navalny.

Mr Navalny - Russia's opposition leader and anti-corruption activist has been missing inside the Russian prison system since 6 December 2023. In August 2022, Mr Navalny was poisoned with a suspected nerve agent and taken to Germany for medical treatment. On his return to Russia, Mr Navalny was arrested and now faces decades in high-security penal colonies. On 6 December, Mr Navalny went missing. His lawyers and family are unable to obtain information on his fate and whereabouts. This meets the definition of enforced disappearance and violates a plethora of Mr Navalny's fundamental rights. Guernica 37 member Alex Prezanti, representing Mr Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, asked the UN Human Rights Committee to confirm violations of his rights and make an urgent request for information about Mr Navalny's fate and whereabouts. We are pleased to report that on 18 December 2023, the UN Human Rights Committee has issued the requested interim measures. 

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Russian Federation has also raised grave concerns on Mr Navalny’s whereabouts and well-being.