UN rights chief decries Russian protest arrests

Michelle Bachelet says 'some 12,700 people have been arbitrarily arrested for holding peaceful antiwar protests'

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  Graffiti depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy holding a bullet-ridden 'Stop' sign by urban artist Tvboy appeared on a street in downtown Barcelona, Spain. EPA

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  A painting on a wall near the Russian embassy in Rome, by street artist Laika 1954, shows Russian and Ukrainian tanks making the peace symbol. AFP

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  A mural painted by Syrian artists in the rebel-held town of Binnish in Syria's Idlib province to protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine. AFP

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  An Indian artist draws a poster during a protest in Kolkata. EPA

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  Artists helped to recreate 'A Dove Has Spread Her Wings and Asks for Peace' by the late Ukrainian painter Maria Prymachenko. The artist had 25 paintings in the Ivankiv Local Museum of History, near Kyiv, which was destroyed by Russian forces. EPA

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  Maria Prymachenko was celebrated for her folk art. EPA

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  A woman walks past a tank sculpture painted in the colours of the Ukrainian flag by Czech artist David Cerny in Prague. AFP

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  A man takes a picture of a fresco by street artist Seth globepainter depicting a girl with a Ukrainian flag walking on tanks in Paris. AFP

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  A street art painting by French artist Emyart dedicated to the Ukranian people. AFP

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  A street art painting created by French street artist Kelu Abstract in Paris. AFP

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  An Indian artist makes a sand sculpture calling for peace on Juhu beach in Mumbai. AP

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  An installation by street artist Gregos representing a face in the colors of Ukraine's flag and holding a symbol of peace, in Paris. AFP

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  Street artist MyDogSighs's mural in Northcote Lane, Cardiff of a weeping eye in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. PA

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  Kosovo artist Alkent Pozhegu works on the final touches of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's portrait made with grains and seeds, in Gjakova, southwestern Kosovo. AFP

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  A peace mural showing a dove with a branch in Ukrainian colours by artist Justus Becker is painted on the wall of a house in Frankfurt, Germany. AP

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  A woman passes a mural by Berlin street artist Eme Freethinker featuring Russian and Ukrainian girls in Berlin, Germany. AP

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  Colombian street artist Arte Vilu works on a mural featuring a Ukrainian woman in traditional dress in Berlin, Germany. AP

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  Lidiya Zhuravlyova, an Ukrainian performance artist, takes part in an anti-war protest in Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

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The UN human rights chief on Tuesday decried Russia's arrest of about 13,000 people for peacefully protesting the invasion of Ukraine and warned all criticism of public policies was “profoundly restricted” in the country.

Speaking to the UN Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet said that since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, “some 12,700 people have been arbitrarily arrested for holding peaceful anti-war protests” inside Russia.

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  Ukrainians in Lebanon hold placards and chant slogans during a protest against Moscow's attack on their country, outside the Russian embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo

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  A Ukrainian child stamps her red-painted hand on the Ukrainian flag. EPA

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  The Ukrainian community protested to denounce Russia's military operation in Ukraine. EPA

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  A Ukrainian woman carries a placard. EPA

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  Russian troops have launched a major military operation on Ukraine. EPA

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  Russia carried out attacks in Ukraine for a third day. EPA

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  Lebanese and Ukrainians living in Lebanon stand together and protest against the conflict. Reuters

“The space for discussion or criticism of public policies, including its military action against Ukraine, is increasingly and profoundly restricted” in the country, she said.

“Media are being required to use only official information and terms,” she added.

Since President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into pro-western Ukraine, authorities have launched an unprecedented crackdown on Russia's already embattled media.

Authorities have blocked several independent media outlets and Mr Putin last Friday signed into law a bill introducing jail terms of up to 15 years for publishing “fake news” about the Russian military.

Ms Bachelet also voiced concern about the “use of repressive legislation” that blocks people from exercising their civil and political rights and criminalises non-violent behaviour.

“Vague and overly broad definitions, for example, of extremism or incitement to hatred have led to legal interpretations that are not in line with Russia's human rights obligations,” she said.

Ms Bachelet also voiced alarm at the spiralling situation inside Ukraine.

“I am deeply concerned about civilians trapped in active hostilities in numerous areas and I urge all parties to take effective action to enable all civilians, including those in situations of vulnerability, to safely leave areas affected by conflict,” she said.

In Ukraine, freedom of expression and assembly are also under attack, she said.

The UN rights chief said her office had received reports of “arbitrary detentions of pro-Ukrainian activists in areas that have recently come under the control of armed groups in the east of the country".

“We have also received reports of beatings of people considered to be pro-Russian in government-controlled territories,” she said, restating her “urgent call for a peaceful end to hostilities".