Russian MFA Information and Press Department Commentary Regarding a Question from Interfax News Agency Concerning Amnesty International Report on the State of Human Rights in the European Union

Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: On January 13, the well-known international nongovernmental organization Amnesty International published a report containing some critical assessments of the human rights situation in the European Union. How can you comment upon this situation?

Commentary: Indeed, we have taken note of the report issued by Amnesty International on the state of human rights in the EU. It contains a statement of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in various fields in European Union member states, including abuses in the context of antiterrorism. The report contains 10 recommendations for the Austrian EU Presidency to remedy the situation.

In this connection this question was included in the agenda of the Russia-EU Parliamentary Cooperation Committee meeting that was held in Brussels on January 25-26.

Twice a year expert consultations on human rights are being held between Russia and the EU, at which the situation in Russia and in certain EU member states is examined in detail. The next round of consultations is scheduled for March 3.

February 3, 2006