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Human Rights, Civil Society, and Democratic Governance in Russia: Current Situation and Prospects for the Future

Members

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Hon. Sam Brownback

Chairman

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

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Hon. Ben Cardin

Ranking Member

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Witnesses

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Hon. Daniel Fried

Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs

Department of State

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Natalia Bourjaily

Vice President for Newly Independent States

International Center for Not-for-Profit Law

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Allison Gill

Director, Moscow Office

Human Rights Watch

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Andrew Kuchins

Senior Associate, Russian and Eurasian Program

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

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Nicolai N. Petro

Professor of Political Science

University of Rhode Island

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Andrei Piontkovsky

Visiting Senior Fellow

Hudson Institute

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Hon. Barry Lowenkron

Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Department of State

This hearing, chaired by Helsinki Commission Chairman Hon. Sam Brownback and Ranking Member the Hon. Benjamin Cardin, focused on the tumoltuous developement of human right in Russia. For the past few years, a series of events in Russia has given cause for concern about the fate of human rights, civil society, and democratic governance in that country. Of particular concern is the recent promulgation of a law establishing greater governmental control over NGOs and an attempt by the Russian secret services to link prominent Russian NGOs with foreign intelligence services. Newsweek International wrote in its February 6, 2006 issue: “The Russian secret service is acting more and more like the old KGB.” At the same time, the Russian Federation accedes this year to the chairmanship of the Group of Eight Industrialized Nations (G-8), and will chair the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers beginning in May 2006.
 

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