Irwin Cotler condemns continued culture of corruption and impunity in Russia

Irwin Cotler Blog

Liberal Justice and Human Rights Critic Irwin Cotler today condemned the culture of corruption and impunity in Russia, epitomized by the fraudulent Parliamentary elections and the unprecedented posthumous prosecution of murdered whistle-blower Sergei Magnitsky. Said Cotler, “The Putin Presidency will be tested by its commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and the integrity of the democratic process”.

In particular, Cotler noted that Russian renewal will be tested by the following indicators:

Halting the harassment and intimidation of NGOs, activists, human rights organizations, and the like.
Ensuring and enhancing freedoms of assembly and association for human rights defenders, dissidents, and their lawyers

Bringing to justice the perpetrators responsible for the illegal arrest, torture, and murder of Sergei Magnitsky – a Russian tax lawyer who uncovered the greatest corporate tax fraud in Russian history and paid for it with his life; and

Ceasing and desisting from the unprecedented attempt to posthumously try Sergei Magnitsky for the very violations of which the perpetrators of his murder stand accused.

In a recent joint press conference with Professor Cotler in Canada, Russian Opposition Leader Boris Nemstov presented a five-point action plan for political reform – joined in by Prof. Cotler – and calling for:

The immediate release of political prisoners – appeals have been made to the Kremlin to free over 40 individuals being arbitrarily detained for peacefully supporting opposition parties
The cancelation of the fraudulent elections of December 4,and the organization of fresh, honest elections
The registration of opposition parties and the democratization of the political and electoral process;
The reinstatement of the Governors elections which were cancelled by Putin in 2004; and,
The halting of widespread censorship of the Russian media by the Putin Government.
Added Nemstov, “we are united now as far as protest is concerned and we have a common program for political reform.”

Concluded Cotler, “The hope now is for the Putin Government to adhere to the rule of law, to protect human rights defenders like Sergei Magnitsky, to end the culture of corruption and impunity, to protect foreign investors operating in the country, and to work towards the authentic democratization of Russia”. unshaven girl срочный займ на карту https://zp-pdl.com/online-payday-loans-in-america.php www.zp-pdl.com срочный займ на карту онлайн