UN building in Geneva. UN human rights activists condemned the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall Human rights
UN experts condemned the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall in the Moscow region last Friday, which killed at least 139 people and injured more than 180.
“Such terrorist violence destroys human rights, including the right to life and the right to personal security, as well as physical and mental integrity,” human rights activists said.
The statement was made by Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism Ben Saul and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Russia Mariana Katsarova.
The Islamic State of Khorasan group, included in the sanctions list, claimed responsibility for the attack UN Security Council.
“We express our deepest condolences and solidarity to the victims and their families, as well as the people and government of the Russian Federation,” the Special Rapporteurs said.
“We call on Russia to investigate these crimes in accordance with international law and hold the masterminds and perpetrators accountable to ensure justice for the victims,” human rights activists said.
They stressed that all suspects have the right to a fair trial in an independent and impartial court and to humane conditions of detention. According to Russian authorities, 11 people have been detained so far in connection with the attack on the concert hall, four of whom appeared before Moscow’s Basmanny Court on terrorism charges on Sunday evening. The court ordered their detention pending trial.
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The UN condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall
“Some suspects appeared to have been ill-treated while in custody. Russia must investigate all allegations of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment,” the experts said.
“Torture jeopardizes fair trials,” they added.
Experts recalled that, in accordance with international law, there must be an investigation into whether Russian authorities – having been warned of an imminent attack – took the steps necessary to prevent it.
Experts also offered support to Russian authorities in providing assistance to victims and conducting investigations and prosecutions in a manner that respects human rights.
*Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Human Rights Council. They are not UN employees and are not dependent on any government or organization. They work in a personal capacity and are not paid for their work.