Experts on human rights in Russia spoke at the Swedish EU-representation

Support to civil society and human rights is an important part of the common EU-Russia policy. The fact that Sweden is one of the largest bilateral donors within the field of human rights and democracy shows the importance the Government attaches to these issues.

"We are carefully following human rights developments in Russia so that we always have as clear a view as possible of the situation. This is fundamental so that we ourselves, and as part of the EU, can provide the right support and make a difference," said Ambassador Anna Jardfelt as she opened the meeting.

Tanya Lokshina works for Human Rights Watch, with northern Caucasus as her specialist area. She talked about the persecution of homosexual men in Chechnya, among other things.

Natalia Taubina, Director of the Public Verdict Foundation, spoke about developments in legislation restricting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and commented on the Russian 'foreign agents law', which has had a dramatic effect on the work of many independent organisations.

Natalia Prilutskaya from Amnesty International stressed all of the opportunities still available for the EU and its Member States to help private organisations in Russia. She underlined how important it is that the international community react when human rights are violated.
Ambassadors and representatives of the EU Member States and the EU institutions took part in the meeting.

Human Rights Watch report on the persecutors of homosexual men in Chechnya:
They have long arms and they can find me

Amnesty International report on the Russian foreign agents law:
Agents of the people: Four years of the foreign agents law in Russia