The Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin has delivered his annual Russian Federation Human Rights Ombudsman's Report for 2008 to Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev.
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta) Vladimir Petrovich, what was the president's mood when he received your report?
(Lukin) As agreed, I delivered the report at a session of the Council for Promoting the Development of Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights. The president received it gratefully. I just requested of Dmitriy Anatolyevich that the corresponding impulse be given in his name to governors and heads of regions, to whom it is compulsory that the report be sent, so that they organize discussions on it, particularly concerning those aspects which have a direct relation to their regions. This is essential, so that the reading of the report does not turn into an empty pastime but initiates public discussion.
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta) To which important aspects of the report would you like to draw the attention both of the president and of our readers?
(Lukin) The fact that since the second half of last year the number of complaints has increased by approximately 10% is worthy of particular attention. This is mainly linked to an increase in the number of appeals by citizens linked to labor and housing problems. This certainly has a direct relation to the crisis that has hit the whole world. Overall the main peculiarity of this report is that it is to a certain extent a round-up. The ombudsman in Russia is by law elected for five years, and in this report we have tried to sum up our whole five-year experience of the work. We have taken basic articles of the Constitution which have a direct link to human rights: The right to life, dignity, freedom, and personal inviolability, the right to citizenship and freedom of movement, the right to freedom of conscience and worship, the right to legal defense and fair legal proceedings, the right to freedom of thought and speech, the right to elect and be elected -- 15 basic rights in total. Then firstly we analyze how Russian legislation clarifies and specifies all these constitutional provisions, and secondly we look at how and to what extent this legislation is realized on a practical level. The report has shown that as regards the body of legislation securing the main constitutional provisions on human rights, the situation is -- although not ideal -- working as a whole. However, with the practical embodiment of all that is drawn up on paper, the situation cannot be called satisfactory.
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta) What are the most problematic aspects exposed by the report?
(Lukin) We can start with the rights to life, freedom, dignity, and inviolability. Our society is very harsh. A flame of hostility which is capable of assuming forms of violence can flare up from any spark. Many complaints arrive about the non-observance of the right to elect and the right to be elected. Social and housing problems, as I have already said, occupy the first place overall. The problems of healthcare and medical assistance are in a very bad state. The situation in the country concerning children's rights is not straightforward.
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta) Are there any positive changes?
(Lukin) Positive changes have taken shape in the fight against manifestations of nationalism and xenophobia. Our law-enforcement bodies have improved their work. They have at least stopped pretending that this problem does not exist. Questions linked to freedom of conscience are not being resolved too badly, although there are some reproaches here. The overall situation is such that it is too early for us to take a calm view yet. Our report talks about this honestly.
(Rossiyskaya Gazeta) Is there anything that surprised you in the new report?
(Lukin) It is always a pleasant surprise when citizens thank us for our work, for our intercessions having been able to influence the situation. However, as one philosopher said, it is hard to talk about yourself without indulging in vanity. Those who wish to do so can read all this in the report themselves.
