13:46, 10 November 2003

UN Human Rights Committee is concerned about human rights violation in Russia

The UN Human Rights Committee expressed deep concern about continuing human rights violations in Russia. The report presented on Friday stresses that special concern is raised by the ill-treatment of prisoners, the limitation of freedom of the media, and the compulsion of women to engage in prostitution. The panel urges the authorities in Moscow to see not to allow human rights violations during the counter-terrorist operation in Chechnya. It also voices concern at closures or state takeovers of private Russian media. However, the panel's final observations praised the legislative progress in Russia and efforts to reduce overcrowding in prisons. Touching upon the events around Yukos Oil Company, Nigel S. Rodley, a UN Committee member, said the experts had not examined this case yet as the case of the company's head Mikhail Khodorkovsky is still under investigation.

Source: The Chechen Times Website