UN Authority Figures

UN Post 9/11 Counter-Terrorism Committee (UNSC 1373)
Vice-Chair: Russia

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In Russia, the use of counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation has curtailed freedom of expression over the last few years, and in particular media freedom and access to information.
Source: Council of Europe, April 12, 2018. Photo: Russian police officers (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Mission of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC): "The Committee ... was tasked with monitoring implementation of resolution 1373 (2001), which requested countries to implement a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world, including taking steps to: Criminalize the financing of terrorism; Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism; Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups; Suppress the provision of safe haven; sustenance or support for terrorists; Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts; Cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts; and Criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law and bring violators to justice. " (The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) website, "Our Mandate")

Russia's Term of office: 2019

Russia's Record on Counter-Terrorism:
"The country's occupation and purported 'annexation' of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula continued to affect the human rights situation there significantly and negatively. The Russian government continued to arm, train, lead, and fight alongside forces in eastern Ukraine. Credible observers attributed thousands of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as numerous abuses, to Russian-led forces in Ukraine's Donbas region. Authorities also conducted politically motivated arrests, detentions, and trials of Ukrainian citizens in Russia, many of whom claimed to have been tortured. Human rights issues included ... severe suppression of freedom of expression and media, including the use of 'antiextremism' and other laws to prosecute peaceful dissent;... There were multiple reports of the FSB [Federal Security Service] using torture against young anarchist and antifascist activists who were allegedly involved in several 'terrorism' and 'extremism' cases. Multiple defendants, whom authorities alleged were planning terrorist attacks under the auspices of previously unknown supposed organizations called 'the Network' and 'New Greatness,' alleged they were subjected to torture to coerce confessions, including severe beatings and electric shocks.... There were credible reports of political prisoners in the country and that authorities detained and prosecuted individuals for political reasons. Charges usually used in politically motivated cases included 'terrorism,' 'extremism,' 'separatism,' and 'espionage.' Political prisoners were reportedly placed in particularly harsh conditions of confinement and subjected to other punitive treatment within the prison system, such as solitary confinement or punitive stays in psychiatric units."
(U.S. State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2018, Russia)

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