GENEVA (21 April 2017) – United Nations human rights expert Idriss Jazairy will visit the Russian Federation from 24 to 28 April to investigate the impact of international unilateral sanctions on human rights and make recommendations on how any negative effects can be mitigated or eliminated. 　

“I want to examine, in the spirit of co-operation and dialogue, whether and to what extent the adoption, maintenance or implementation of current unilateral sanctions impedes the full realization of the human rights of individuals,” Mr Jazairy says.　

“I will pay particular attention to any negative impact that the unilateral sanctions imposed have on the enjoyment of all human rights, including economic and social rights many of which were identified in my reports to the Human Rights Council,” Mr. Jazairy added.　

***

The UN Human Rights Council established the Special Rapporteur’s mandate in September 2014, following concern by the UN human rights system and the international community about the negative impact of unilateral sanctions on the human rights of the civilian population. 　

The Special Rapporteur will meet representatives of the Government as well other officials and groups, including civil society organizations, the national human rights institution, and representatives of the business and diplomatic communities in Moscow. 　

A press conference will be held at the conclusion of the visit, on 28 April 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Interfax Information Agency at 2, Tverskaya-Yamskaya Ul, Moscow. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.　

The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report of his findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2017.　

Mr. Idriss Jazairy was appointed by the Human Rights Council as the first Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of the unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. He took office in May 2015. Mr. Jazairy has extensive experience in the fields of international relations and human rights with the Algerian Foreign Ministry, the UN human rights system and international NGOs. He holds a M.A. (Oxford) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and an M.P.A. (Harvard). He also graduated from the Ecole nationale d’Administration (France). Mr. Jazairy is the author of books and of a large number of articles in the international press on development, human rights and current affairs. 　

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. 　

UN Human Rights, country page: Russian Federation 　

For more information and media requests, please contact Michelle Erazo (+41 22 917 9449 / merazo@ohchr.org) or write to ucm@ohchr.org

Tag and share - Twitter: @UNHumanRights and Facebook: unitednationshumanrights