MOSCOW -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with Russian rights activists and independent journalists in Moscow, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.
Tatyana Lokshina, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch's office in Russia, told RFE/RL that during the meeting, Clinton praised Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's statements regarding human rights, civil society, and the rule of law.
Lokshina said Clinton made it clear that Washington is aware of the "real" situation in Russia, in particular the fact that those who freely express their opinions can become the victims of brutal attacks.
Lokshina added that, in general, Clinton was very critical of the Russian authorities when talking about the problems faced by the country's nongovernmental organizations, rights activists, and independent journalists.
Clinton arrived in Russia on October 12 and is due to visit the Russian republic of Tatarstan.