"Avoiding resorting to laws, for instance the law against extremist activities, to repress the work of the civilian organisations and the mass media; teaching the police to respect freedom of association; making sure the press can perform its professional job without suffering arbitrary interference; conducting in-depth, unbiased investigations on any report of violations committed against human right activities, journalists and the members of the political opposition" and "guaranteeing the application of international standards to fair trials and proceedings against alleged offenders". This was asked by Amnesty International today to the authorities of Moscow to protect the freedom of expression, association and gathering, in the run-up to the election due in Russia on 2nd March. Such freedom "is a milestone in an active society. The Russian authorities are restricting it as part of their strategy against the so-called western influence; in this way, they breach both national and international obligations": this is the alert launched by Nicola Duckworth, director of the Europe Central Asia programme of Amnesty International. (continued)
