Human rights activists doubt of Russia's fulfilment of the UN Committee Against Tortures' recommendation

On December 8, the Internet Hall of the Central House of Journalists hosted a press conference of the Coalition of Russian Human Rights Organizations dedicated to publication of final recommendations adopted by the UN Committee Against Tortures.

The participants of the press conference expressed their concern that recommendations of the Committee Against Tortures may be not heard.

Olga Shepeleva, advocate of the "Demos" Centre, reported that during the year to come the Russian Federation would have to report on fulfilment of her obligations to ensure the detainees' rights, prevention of hazing in the army, reforming of Public Prosecutor's Office, safety of human rights defenders and the journalists who cover human rights issues in North Caucasus.

"Long since the situation in North Caucasus has become an object of steadfast attention of international organizations. Repeatedly, Chechnya was visited by independent observers who wished to see the jails, where people are kept. Enough to mention a scandal with Manfred Novak who was not admitted to visit the prisons under the pretext that his visit was unscheduled," Alexander Cherkasov, Board member of the HRC "Memorial," stated and added that Russia is today the only country to ban the publication of the reports of the UN Committee Against Tortures.

Valery Borschov, chairman of the "Social Partnership" Foundation, noted the insufficiency of improvements in the penitentiary system.

In her turn, Svetlana Gannushkina, chair of the "Civil Assistance" Foundation, stressed that Russia continues to break her duties in the area of granting shelter to refugees.