U.N. decries Russia moves against Navalny, calls for upholding rights

GENEVA - United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Monday criticised Russia for outlawing groups linked to jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny as "extremist", and called on Moscow to uphold fundamental civil and political freedoms.

"Legislation restricting the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association should be brought in line with international human rights norms and standards," Bachelet told the Human Rights Council.

"I further urge the authorities to end the arbitrary practice of labelling ordinary individuals, journalists, and non-governmental organizations as 'extremists', 'foreign agents' or 'undesirable organizations'," she told the Geneva forum.