A UN independent human rights expert has welcomed the landmark prisoner swap on Aug. 1 involving the United States, Russia and five other countries.
More than 20 people were released, including journalists, human rights defenders and dissidents.
Among them were American Evan Gershkovich, a reporter with the Wall Street Journal; fellow American Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva a Radio Liberty journalist who holds U.S. citizenship, and recent Pulitzer Prize winner Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British activist and journalist, who were all freed from Russian prisons.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova, has repeatedly advocated for their release.
“I can’t even believe it,” she said in an exclusive interview with UN News.
“In the dark times in which we live, when every day in Russia there are new detentions, new trials, and the news reports every day about shocking human rights violations, suddenly there is such good news.”
Ms. Katzarova reported that many people in Russia – human rights defenders, members of civil society – were “just crying with joy” that day.
“This is really an unprecedented diplomatic act. And this may be the largest group of political prisoners exchanged since the Cold War,” she said.
“Of course, today we are glad that, in the end, people who should not have been convicted in the first place were released, such as Vladimir Kara-Murza, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, Oleg Orlov, Sasha Skochilenko, members of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, Lilia Chanisheva and Ksenia Fadeeva, and others.”
But while rejoicing, the rights expert urged the international community not to forget the political prisoners who remain behind bars, who number at least 700, though some estimates put the figure at more than 1,000.
“Today, we must once again call for their immediate and unconditional release from prisons in Russia,” she said.
“They shouldn’t be there. They are there on charges for expressing their position against the war against Ukraine.”
She estimated that at least 33 journalists are in jail “precisely because they have written reports and materials” against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Upon making the deal to bring the detainees home, U.S. President Biden gave remarks.
“Today (Aug. 1), three American citizens and one American green-card holder who were unjustly imprisoned in Russia are finally coming home: Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva, and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
“The deal that secured their freedom was a feat of diplomacy. All told, we’ve negotiated the release of 16 people from Russia – including five Germans and seven Russian citizens who were political prisoners in their own country. Some of these women and men have been unjustly held for years. All have endured unimaginable suffering and uncertainty. Today, their agony is over.
“I am grateful to our Allies who stood with us throughout tough, complex negotiations to achieve this outcome – including Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey. This is a powerful example of why it’s vital to have friends in this world whom you can trust and depend upon. Our alliances make Americans safer.
“And let me be clear: I will not stop working until every American wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world is reunited with their family. My Administration has now brought home over 70 such Americans, many of whom were in captivity since before I took office. Still, too many families are suffering and separated from their loved ones, and I have no higher priority as President than bringing those Americans home.
“Today, we celebrate the return of Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir and rejoice with their families. We remember all those still wrongfully detained or held hostage around the world. And reaffirm our pledge to their families: We see you. We are with you. And we will never stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong.”
