Interfax: Head of Presidential Human Rights Council disagrees with colleague from Human Rights Watch on human rights situation in Russia

Mikhail Fedotov file photo

MOSCOW. Dec 5 (Interfax) – The human rights situation in Russia cannot be called bad and existing problems can be resolved gradually, Mikhail Fedotov, the head of the Russian presidential human rights council, said.

“The human right problems in Russia can be resolved; we know that it is possible from experience. We are not a legislative body and we can only give advice, and I can say that our advice is heeded,” Fedotov said during a meeting with Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth in Moscow.

Roth, for his part, said he believes there are problems with freedom of speech in the media and in the Internet in Russia, and he also expressed concerns about legislation on NGOs.

“We are concerned about the law on NGOs, on the Internet and the mass media. We have given our recommendations, some of which have been implemented and some have been taken note of. The council will continue its work, our mission is a long-term one; we can achieve progress on debatable issues gradually. Our main addressee is the president, and both chambers of our parliament head of advice as well,” Fedotov said.

[featured image is file photo]

 

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