Page 15 - RusRPTJun21

Navalny is a nationalist and came to promiency through his anti-corruption work, but his first public exposure was from producing right-wing political videos where he likened illegal immigrants from the Caucuses to “cockroaches” and recommended crushing them with a slipper.
In subsequent interview with the western press after he had gained international recognition Navalny refused to recant or withdraw his earlier remarks. A core part of his support base are Russian nationalist and when he ran in the Moscow mayorial elections part of his platform was to deport illegal immigrants back to their homelands. The message plays well with many voters as Russia remains a conservative country and xenophobic racism against those with dark skins is widespread.
The human rights group embarrassed itself and drew widespread condemnation for its decision to downgrade Navalny shortly after he was incarcerated in January. With Russia’s opposition in disarray, Navalny has one of the few prominent and effective voices calling the Kremlin to account by exposing corruption at the highest levels. His documentary claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin is the beneficiary owner of a luxurious mansion on the Black Sea “Putin’s Palace” has had more than 100mn views.
Amnesty’s decision may have also affected the EU decision to delay sanctions on Russia connected to Navalny and the US likewise was restrained in its sanctions connected to the case only targeting those directly involved with the investigation and Navalny’s jailing.
"They (Amnesty) told me just yesterday that they will issue a press release on May 12 after they have examined how the Russian disinformation campaign managed to influence them," Navalny's chief of staff Leonid Volkov, speaking in English to Canadian legislators, told the House of Commons foreign affairs committee. "They will not only reinstate his status but they will also issue a post-mortem," he said.
Amnesty said in its statement that it was reviewing the process to designate someone a prisoner of conscious.
“As a result of this episode, Amnesty has commenced a review of its overall approach to the use of the term ‘Prisoner of Conscience’. As an initial interim step, our approach has been refined to not exclude a person from designation as a Prisoner of Conscience solely based on their conduct in the past. We recognise that an individual’s opinions and behaviour may evolve over time. It is part of Amnesty’s mission to encourage people to positively embrace a human rights vision and to not suggest that they are forever trapped by their past conduct,” Amnesty said. “Moreover, when Amnesty International designates an individual as Prisoner of Conscience, this in no way involves or implies the endorsement of their views. Amnesty only concurs with opinions that are specifically consistent with the protection and promotion of human rights.”
As part of the scandal it appears that Amnesty’s decision was influenced by information fed the organisation by pro-Russian interlocutors.
15 RUSSIA Country Report June 2021 www.intellinews.com