From: MSN NicknameEagle_wng (Original Message) Sent: 5/28/2005 3:00 PM
Putin concedes human rights need attention in Russia
LAST UPDATE: 5/27/2005 10:39:24 PM
MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Friday that Russia had human rights problems that need attention, but said the country had made progress over the past 10 to 15 years.
He spoke during a meeting with the human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe, Alvaro Gil-Robles, who presented Putin with the group's rights report on Russia.
The report by the continent's top rights watchdog, which was issued last month, urges Russia to abolish the death penalty, combat police violence and safeguard minority rights, particularly in Chechnya. It also calls on Moscow to improve prison conditions, guarantee full freedom of expression and strengthen the independence of the judiciary.
"We'll pay careful attention to the conclusions laid down in the report and will work strenuously during the next two years not merely to ...
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