UN ACTS ON JPTi COMPLAINT IN THE CASE OF AIVO PETERSON vs ESTONIA
- Sharof
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
On 26 June 2025, Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) issued a press release, which welcomes the official communication issued by multiple United Nations Special Rapporteurs to the Government of Estonia in response to our comprehensive complaint concerning the arbitrary detention and political persecution of Estonian opposition figure Mr. Aivo Peterson.
Full Press Release in English:
Full Press Release in Russian:
UN Communication and Government Response:
This landmark development follows JPTi’s submission of a 152-page complaint, prepared in close collaboration with Emeritus Professor Douwe Korff, and extensive advocacy across UN platforms. The Special Rapporteurs have raised grave concerns regarding Mr. Peterson’s prolonged detention, disproportionate bail, lack of due process, and the misuse of national security legislation to criminalise peaceful dissent. Their full communication is also available here:
🔗 UN Letter of Allegation: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=29717
🔗 Estonian Government Response: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=38970
As stated by Professor Korff:
“The Estonian government response actually confirms that under Estonian law, non-violent expressions of support for Russia are treated as high treason, subject to draconian pre-trial measures and extremely long prison sentences. This is manifestly in breach of international human rights law.”
JPTi’s press release also draws attention to our separate but closely connected complaint concerning Mr. Sergei Seredenko, a distinguished legal scholar and human rights defender, whose politically motivated conviction and ongoing imprisonment exemplify Estonia’s repressive use of national security legislation. Both Mr. Seredenko and Mr. Peterson have been targeted through a coordinated pattern in which peaceful political expression, legitimate criticism of government policy, and advocacy for minority rights are systematically recharacterised as criminal acts. Full documentation on both cases is available via:
📄 Press Release on Aivo Peterson: https://www.jpti.ch/post/jpti-urges-immediate-release-of-mr-aivo-peterson-and-decisive-action-against-political-persecution
📄 Press Release on Sergei Seredenko: https://www.jpti.ch/post/jpti-submits-complaint-to-un-on-arbitrary-detention-of-estonian-legal-scholar
🗨️ Sharof Azizov, Executive Director of JPTi, stated:
“The Estonian government’s reply regrettably falls short in addressing the core human rights violations at stake. Invoking generalized security threats cannot justify excessive detention conditions, procedural unfairness, or persecution of peaceful political advocacy. International human rights obligations are clear—states cannot selectively apply democratic principles or fundamental freedoms based on political convenience.”
Justice pour Tous Internationale unequivocally calls for the immediate and unconditional release of both Mr. Aivo Peterson and Mr. Sergei Seredenko. Their continued detention undermines democratic resilience and constitutes a clear violation of Estonia’s international legal obligations. We extend our deepest gratitude to the UN Special Procedures mandate holders for their swift and principled engagement.
We reaffirm our commitment to using all legal avenues to defend those persecuted for their beliefs and peaceful civic engagement.
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