Russian tweet confuses Geneva

A Tweet from the Russian Mission in Geneva is raising eyebrows after it criticised the human rights situation in Switzerland.

The tweet made three points. It claims Russians are being discriminated against in Switzerland, it points to prison overcrowding in the French speaking regions and claims this country limits freedom of speech. 

The tweet was sent as Switzerland’s human rights record is being discussed at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva at the moment. It’s a standard periodic report. 

Many politicians are choosing not to engage with the comments. The Vaud National Councillor, Laurent Wehrli, told the press ‘it does not seem necessary to react’. 

Another councillor, Francois Pointet, called the idea the Russians complaining about free speech ‘surreal’. 

 

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