Discussions On Human Rights Should Be Free From Lecturing - Russian Rights Ombudsman
MOSCOW. Oct 13 (Interfax) - Russian Human Rights Commissioner Vladimir Lukin said at a meeting between activists from Russian non- governmental organizations and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that human rights should be discussed in a dialogue rather than through lecturing in a "doomsday" style.
"I spoke the second at the meeting following Moscow Helsinki Group head Lyudmila Alexeyeva. I said that two major problems exist in the human rights area now - the problem of territory and the problem of time," Lukin told Interfax on Saturday.
"The problem of territory means that we have yet to fully get rid of the Soviet syndrome of the exaggeration of the government's role and government interests, as human rights are at the bottom of the priority list in this situation," Lukin said.
This problem exists not only in Russia but virtually in all former Soviet republics and some other countries, he said.
Talking about what he identified as the problem of time, Lukin said it was engendered in large part by the improvement of technology, which makes it easier for the authorities to interfere in people's private lives. He mentioned tapping devices, new methods of surveillance, and others.
Lukin said this problem is facing not only Russia but also the U.S. and other countries.
Lukin also said he had brought up the issue of migration and suggested that, while migration flows have significantly increased of late, it is not easy to distinguish between legal and illegal immigration and understand how to treat immigrants.
Asked to comment on the fact that the U.S. quite often criticizes Russia for inadequate observance of human rights, Lukin said. "I pointed out that dialogue should be maintained not in a doomsday style - this happens when one of the parties pretends to be a court and the other countries don't want to be tried - but this should be a friendly dialogue, which helps people to overcome their complexes and learn to understand each other and calmly take criticism," he said.
Dialogue should be maintained both at the government level and between human rights organizations, Lukin said. He suggested that confidential rather than public debates would be more beneficial.
Lukin assumed that Rice had the chance to refresh her knowledge about the situation surrounding human rights in Russia and that she was satisfied with the meeting, although he noted that it would be more appropriate to ask Rice about this.
Lukin also said he found it quite easy to talk with Rice, as they had known each other for a long time, "and she herself called us friends."
Among other things, Rice admitted that the U.S. does not attach enough significance to human rights problems in Russia, Lukin said.
"She said, though, that the United States anyway does this more actively than other countries," he said.
Rice also said that, in terms of human rights problems, the U.S. gives more priority to Iraq, Iran, and a number of other countries, Lukin said.
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