Russia ready to cooperate in human rights field, Russian Justice Minister says

Russia's Justice Minister Yuri Chaika is satisfied with the results of the human rights dialogue with UN experts.

Chaika made this statement in the evening of October 24, after a two-day discussion of the Russian Federation's report on fulfilling the international civil and political rights covenant wound up during the 79th session of the human rights committee.

This was a constructive, business-like and professional conversation, the Minister noted.

Acting on the initiative of committee members, we devoted considerable attention to such problems as the Chechen situation, registration issues, migration processes, alternative service, as well as the situation of Meskhi Turks, Chaika added.

President Akhmad Kadyrov of the Chechen republic, Abdul-Khakim Sultygov, who serves as the Russian President's human rights commissioner for Chechnya, as well as representatives of specialized Russian ministries and departments, replied to committee members' questions.

On the whole, UN experts positively assessed Russian processes in the sphere of human rights protection; however, the dialogue was pretty involved on some issues, the Minister stressed.

The discussion highlighted the one-sided position of some participants, who relied on specific sources, which, in our opinion, should not be trusted, Chaika went on to say. Among other things, he noted the biased nature of an alternative document, which was prepared by non-governmental Russian organizations for the 79th session of the human rights committee.

State Russian structures will continue to expand their dialogue with non-government organizations and the public at large, the Minister stressed.

As far as human rights contacts with the international community are concerned, Russia is still open to dialogue and cooperation, Chaika said in conclusion.