Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Russia

Putin Asks UN For New Standards On Human Rights

10 February 2005 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he wants the United Nations to develop a new set of "standards" for how it judges human rights decisions.

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February 10, 2005

Putin made his remarks in Moscow to visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour.

Putin told Arbour that Russia has its own views concerning antiterrorism operations and the protection of human rights.

He said while Russia will listen to the opinions of qualified experts on those subjects, it is unacceptable for anyone to use human rights issues to reach political or economic goals.

"Russia has its own views on how human rights are observed in the world, including during counterterrorist operations; how human rights are observed in certain regions and countries of the world, where Russia has clear, significant interests. In this regard I believe it is extremely important to work together to develop common standards and understanding in this very sensitive and very important area," Putin said.

He said the Kremlin wants to see the UN to develop more "precise standards" in that field.

(AP/ITAR-TASS/AFP)

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