[JURIST] The UN Human Rights Committee [official website] on Thursday released its observational findings [press release] on human rights abuses in Russia [text], concluding that Russia must repeal laws that limit free speech and permit discrimination based on sexual orientation and race. The report noted significant violations of the 1976 International Convention on Civil and Political Rights [text], as well as strong manifestations of racism, xenophobia and homophobia that must be addressed and remedied by government officials. The report explicitly stated that laws signed by President Vladimir Putin [official website] restricting the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and like groups and pervasive “patriarchal attitudes” limiting female participation in government appear to violate the Convention.

Russia has been the subject of a great deal of criticism over the last few years. Last week Putin signed [JURIST report] a treaty to tighten control over the South Ossetia breakaway region. The treaty calls for full integration of the South Ossetia economy and military into Russia’s. Earlier in March EU officials decided [JURIST report] to stand by their policy of not recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Also that month Russian liberal political activist Boris Nemtsov was shot in the back four times in the middle of busy downtown Moscow. Nemtsov was openly politically opposed to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its role in Ukraine, and many believe Putin ordered [JURIST report] the killing. In February US Secretary of State John Kerry announced [JURIST report] that Washington is considering “additional sanctions” against Russia in light of the most recent events in Ukraine.