Gatilov provided the head of the OHCHR with evidence of harassment of Russian media in the EU

The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Gennady Gatilov, handed over to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) a new document with examples of harassment of Russian journalists in European countries. This was reported on May 16 in the Telegram channel of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva.

According to the diplomat, the document provides evidence of "systematic suppression of freedom of speech" in more than 15 states. There are references to the blocking of Russian and Russian-language media, sanctions against editorial offices and correspondents, as well as cases of intimidation and pressure.

"In fact, this is outright censorship and suppression of alternative points of view under the pretext of combating so—called disinformation," Gatilov said.

He added that in a diplomatic note, Russia demanded that these facts be brought to the attention of High Commissioner Volker Turk and the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion, Irene Khan. The Russian side expressed hope for an official reaction from the United Nations.

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The approval of new restrictions is expected on May 20.

On December 28 last year, Gatilov said that more and more developing countries support the Russian Federation's view of human rights violations by the West and its allies. According to him, this trend also applies to documents on the situation in Ukraine, on the inadmissibility of politicization of sports, religious freedoms, economic, social and cultural rights.