President pushes for ratification of human rights protocol
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday met with several government ministers and State Duma leaders in a bid to speed up the ratification of the 14th protocol of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The President in the meeting highlighted the importance of the protocol, the Kremlin.ru press service informs.
The State Duma has so far refused to ratify the protocol, arguing that it is not in line with Russian national interests. The protocol introduces reforms in the Human Right Convention, meant to heighten its role and influence. The protocol was signed by former President Putin in 2005, but was in 2006 turned down by the parliament, Kommersant reports.
Also EU structures now step up pressure for a higher human rights standards in Russia. As reported by YLE, Finnish member of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala believes Finnish leaders should speak more openly about human rights abuses in Russia
Ms. Hautala, who chairs the European Parliament’s Subcommitte on Human Rights, says Finland could use its good relations with Russia to exert influence on the issue. The MEP last Saturday arrived in Moscow to attend a human rights conference. She maintained that her visit had prompted at least two house searches.
