The UK Foreign Office released a report into the human rights situation in the world in 2009, in which Russia is listed under "Countries of Concern". The report was presented by David Miliband (Foreign Secretary) and Baroness Kinnock (Minister of State) to members of non-government and human rights organizations.
"We are clear that the human rights situation in Russia is serious», - the report says. The authors believe that in certain locations the situation has deteriorated radically. The Foreign Office is particularly concerned about the human rights situation in North Caucasus, about the implementation of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, about the safety of journalists and the ethnic minority situation in Abkhazia and North Ossetia. The report mentions numerous meetings on human rights issues between UK diplomats and Russian officials.
The diplomats are shocked by the sharp increase in murders of human rights activists in 2009. «We want to see better support for human rights defenders; an end to the apparent impunity for those who attack them; and for all human rights violations against human rights defenders to be investigated fully, promptly and impartially. Those involved should be brought to justice in trials which meet international standards", - the report says.
The report recalls the murder of Stanislav Merkelov (a lawyer) and Anastasia Baburova (a journalist working for Novaya Gazeta) on 19 Jan 2009 and the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Natalia Estemirova, a Chechen human rights activist. It also mentions the murder of Zarema Sadullayeva, the head of "Save the Generation" - a Chechen youth support NGO, who had a collaboration with the UK Embassy.
The journalist job has become more dangerous, the report says - Novaya Gazeta alone has lost four staff members, one of them in 2009. It is also noted that repressive measures taken by the Russian authorities made journalists accustomed to self-censure.
The situation in Caucasus Emirate remains tense - even though the so-called "counter-terrorist operation" is officially over, it is being sporadically re-introduced in specific regions. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture regularly notes the crimes committed by Kadyrov's henchmen in Chechnya. The situation in neighboring Ingushetia and Dagestan has also deteriorated markedly. Kidnappings, torture and lynch mob killings are reported on a regular basis.
"Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by Command of Her Majesty" - thus reads the title page.
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