26 February 2008, 12:20
Amnesty International is concerned with the course of investigation of Anna Politkovskaya's murder
The Amnesty International is expressing its deep concern with the fact that the investigation into the case of Anna Politkovskaya's murder "until now has failed to identify the main customers," as well as with the pressure on mass media and civil society in Russia as a whole. This is the topic of the report published today under the title "Russian Federation: Impingement of the Freedom of Expression of One's Opinions".
The "Gazeta.Ru" informs that the human rights activists' report marks that the environment for the activities of human rights activists, independent organizations and mass media is "systematically and methodically" cut down in Russia.
The Amnesty International remarks that especially strong pressure had been exerted on the freedom of assembly and freedom of belief on the eve of the elections to the State Duma that took place on December 2, and is continued now on the eve of presidential election of Russia to be held on March 2. The report of the human rights organization mentions violent dispersals of several oppositional demonstrations at the background of unobstructed pro-governmental actions.
According to the report, journalists in Russia are facing obstacles in their professional activities, intimidations and lawsuits.