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G8 Urged To Press Putin On Rights Violations


Aaron Rhodes, head of the Vienna-based International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (file photo) (RFE/RL) July 11, 2006 -- The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights is calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin's partners in the Group of Eight leading industrialized nations to raise the issue of rights violations in Russia when they meet this week in St. Petersburg.


The group, which represents 46 national rights committees, said the other seven leaders should address the plight of political prisoners. It said it was "appalling" that people had been imprisoned in Russia after politically motivated trials.


In a joint statement with the Moscow Helsinki Group, it called on G8 leaders to bring up the issue of rights violation and corruption in Russia's North Caucasus. It said the "war on terrorism" had become a "pretext for the continuing abuse of human rights" in the region.


It also noted the lack of openness in the government's handling of emergencies, including terrorist attacks.


It also said Putin's G8 partners should address restrictions on the media and a restrictive new law governing the activity of nongovernmental organizations.


(AP)

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