12 March 2010, 23:50
USA express concern of human rights situation in Northern Caucasus
On March 11, Hilary Clinton, State Secretary of the USA, presented another regular report on the situation in the sphere of human rights in the world. The document published in the official website of the US Department of State (DoS), dedicates 73 pages to criticism of the situation with human rights in Russia.
Washington, in particular, has expressed its concern of the state of affairs in Northern Caucasus, which is named in the report as "the territory of special concern". The situation with human rights in this region, in the opinion of the USA, has worsened.
The "Interfax" reports that according to the DoS, both local authorities and militants "take part in murders, torture, malversations, violence, politically-motivated kidnappings and other violent and humiliating actions, which often remain unpunished."
The report specifies that "Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan see a radical increase in the number of murders, disappearances and attacks on law enforcers," the "Gazeta.Ru" writes.
The report also draws attention to cases of interference of federal authorities into regional elections.
The DoS notes also the aggravated situation with the freedom of speech in Russia. The report states that actions of Russian authorities have weakened the freedom of speech and independence of mass media.
The DoS' report states that Russia restricts her NGOs and reminds that in 2009 Russia "saw a number of resonant murders of human rights defenders for the reasons related to their professional activities."
See earlier reports: "Russia demands to ban publication of UN report on secret prisons in Northern Caucasus," "Russian human rights activists discuss situation in North Caucasus with Condoleezza Rice," "US congressmen dislike having Surkov as co-chair of "Civil Society"."
