Russia to keep obligations on human rights agenda along UN, OSCE, UNESCO lines — official

MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. The termination of the Council of Europe’s agreements with regards to Russia is only another step in the "divorce" with the organization and international interaction along the lines of the UN, the OSCE, UNESCO, including on the human rights agenda, remains, Human Rights Council member Alexander Brod told TASS. Commenting on a draft bill introduced by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the State Duma which involves, among other things, the termination of the Statute of the Council of Europe and European conventions on the suppression of terrorism and protection of human rights with regards to Russia, he said: "The draft bill introduced by the president to the State Duma is only another step in the ‘divorce’ with the Council of Europe. Russia is not severing completely its international ties remaining bound by obligations along the UN, the OSCE, UNESCO lines, including on the human rights agenda. The situation with human rights in our country is not ideal but there are opportunities for growth especially since all the issues on this subject are being openly discussed, including during the Human Rights Council’s meetings with the president." Read more