By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Marc Garneau, minister of foreign affairs, on Wednesday announced new sanctions against nine Russian officials under the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights in Russia.
“The Russian government has repeatedly shown its unwillingness to respect the basic rights of its own people and address concerns raised on multiple occasions by the international community. Alongside our partners, Canada will continue to increase pressure on the Russian government to unconditionally release Navalny and his supporters who have been unlawfully detained. Russia’s gross human rights violations will not go unanswered,” said, minister of foreign affairs, Garneau.
Related: G7 foreign ministers’ statement on arrest and detention of Alexey Navalny
The announcement serves to highlight the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia and the shrinking space for civil society and independent voices there, a press release from Global Affairs Canada explained.
“The sanctions are part of a concerted diplomatic effort to bring pressure on senior figures in Russia’s administration involved in the attempted murder of Alexey Navalny, his subsequent prosecution, and the silencing of Russian citizens who protested his treatment with heavy-handed and often violent methods. These actions are in line with measures previously taken by the European Union and the United States. Russia’s ongoing treatment of Navalny continues to demonstrate its contempt for the rule of law and its willingness to violate the human rights of its people. Russia’s suppression of peaceful protests and its detention of over 10,000 protestors, highlight a continuing pattern that targets opposition voices and those it deems threatening.”
In the press release, Global Affairs Canada, said: “Canada stands with the people of Russia in their quest to exercise their rights to freely express themselves and to gather peacefully without fearing reprisals. Canada will continue to work in a coordinated manner with allies and partners to prepare and implement effective and unified measures to condemn the worrying human rights trends in Russia.”
- Related: Backgrounder – Russia sanctions
