Human rights experts demand the release of a Russian doctor jailed for his anti-war views
Dr. Nadezhda Buyanova was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for allegedly making anti-war comments regarding Russian troops fighting in Ukraine, during a private medical consultation.
“It is appalling to condemn a doctor for an unproven private comment made in the course of his professional duties.,” speak Mariana KatzarovaUnited Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.
The case originated when the widow of a Russian soldier who died in Ukraine filed a complaint accusing Dr. Buyanova of making insulting statements about her deceased husband during a medical appointment for their child.
Russian invader
According to the complaint, the doctor allegedly described the father as a “legitimate target of the Ukrainian army” and stated that “Russia is responsible because it is the aggressor.”
The court was heard to have relied on the pre-trial interview with the seven-year-old boy and the enhanced wording involved which suggested the testimony may have been scripted. The child was not allowed to be cross-examined, undermining the fairness of the proceedings, the independent body said. Human Rights Council-appointed specialist
Concerns about testing
Dr. Buyanova, born in Lviv, Ukraine, has denied the allegations against her. Responding to accusations of anti-Russian bias, she said: “I am related to three peoples: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. I don’t want to have to choose between them.”
“This hasty trial, based largely on the testimony of a seven-year-old child, is another example of sham trials in Russia, targeting individuals solely because of their anti-war stance,” Ms. Katzarova said. ”.
The proceedings raised concerns about the unfairness of relying on the testimony of a child whose claim had an enhanced wording, while denying protection of any opportunity for cross-examination.
Systematic repression
The incident sparked widespread protests in the Russian medical community. More than 1,000 doctors signed an open letter supporting the release of Dr. Buyanova.
Their protests emerged amid growing repression, with current estimates suggesting there are between 1,372 and 1,700 political prisoners detained in Russia, many for protesting the war in Ukraine.
“This case reflects a pattern of widespread and systematic repression of any peaceful anti-war expression, targeting human rights defenders, political opposition and private citizens,” Ms. Katzorva said. normal for expressing views that challenge state narratives.”
In his September report to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur called on the Russian Government to stop using its judicial system as a political tool to silence civil society and other voices. dissent.
“Buyova’s case is another representative case in Russia aimed at silencing critics of the war and instilling fear among the Russian people.”, Ms. Katzarova concluded.
“Buyanova must be released immediately and all charges against her will be dropped. Laws that hinder freedom of expression such as ‘war censorship’ laws need to be urgently repealed.”
The Special Rapporteur and other independent rights experts work on a voluntary basis, are not employees of the United Nations, and do not receive a salary for their work. Not belonging to any organization or government, serving as a pure individual.
