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Russia urges Amnesty International to pay attention to media freedom violations in Ukraine

Commenting on the Amnesty International's 2014 annual report, Russian human rights ombudsman urged the organization not to invent non-existent problems
Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry Ombudsman for Human Rights ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin
Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry Ombudsman for Human Rights
© ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

MOSCOW, March 20 /TASS/. Russia has urged Amnesty International not to invent non-existent problems and pay attention to the catastrophic situation with freedom of expression and media freedom in Ukraine, Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry Ombudsman for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, told TASS on Friday.

In its 2014 annual report, Amnesty International claimed that Russia had imposed restrictions on the freedom of expression and the activities of journalists in Crimea.

Dolgov said he had carefully studied the document, especially its Russian and Ukrainian sections.

"What catches the eye is clear distortion of facts, a biased approach and open double standards," the diplomat stressed.

"The loud accusations of Amnesty International Human Rights Activists which cannot be proven by facts are reflecting the vicious line of some Western states to ignore Russia’s full-scale positive work aimed at strengthening society’s democratic foundations," Dolgov said.

"After Crimea’s reunification with Russia, its multinational population got real and imaginary guarantees that their rights and freedoms will be provided in full measure for the first time in more than 20 years. Unfortunately, that does not interest the Amnesty International human rights activists," the ombudsman stressed.

He urged Amnesty International "not to invent non-existent problems but dive into analysis of the catastrophic human rights situation, including freedom of expression and media freedom, in Ukraine."