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Mikhail Fedotov not to resign because of MPs demands

According to earlier media reports, a number of State Duma deputies criticised Fedotov’s recent statements and the situation around the RF Human Rights Council

MOSCOW, October 8 (Itar-Tass) — Chairman of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov has said he did not intend to resign. Thus he commented on statements made by a number of members of the State Duma lower house of parliament who have seen a lack of patriotism in his work in connection with his attitude to a number of PACE recommendations and the scandals around the rotation of the Russian Human Rights Council members.

“The issue of the PACE recommendations was discussed at a Council’s meeting on the report of the member of the Council and the State Duma, Yelena Nikolayeva,” Fedotov recalled. “It was there that it was said that the PACE recommendations contained some constructive proposals, although the recommendations as such were not adopted. I think that separating the husk from the grain, we can achieve success,” said the Russian Human Rights Council head.

Fedotov stressed that he is “willing to meet with the parliamentarians and discuss all the issues.”

Speaking about the problems that have arisen in connection with the rotation of the Council, Fedotov said that all the “outcries” will “lose sense” after the presidential decree is issued. “I know that there are people who want to take charge of the Council, but this question should be addressed to the president, it is his competence to decide who will head the Council and who will be its members,” Fedotov said.

According to earlier media reports, a number of State Duma deputies, including lawmakers form the United Russia and the Communist Party factions in the Duma criticised Fedotov’s recent statements and the situation around the RF Human Rights Council and did not rule out that the Council head should quit his post.

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