Tuesday, June 05, 2001
9:30am
334 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20003
United StatesTitle
Troubling Trends: Human Rights in Russia
Official Transcript:
Members:
Name:
Hon. Ben Nighthorse Campbell
Title Text:
Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Chris Smith
Title Text:
Co-Chairman
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Steny Hoyer
Title Text:
Ranking Member
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Russell Feingold
Title Text:
Commissioner
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Name:
Hon. Joseph Pitts
Title Text:
Commissioner
Body:
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Statement:
Witnesses:
Name:
John Beyrle
Title:
Special Advisor to the Secretary of State for the Newly Independent States
Body:
United States Department of State
Statement:
Name:
Paul Goble
Title:
Director of Communications
Body:
Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty
Statement:
Name:
Emil Pain
Title:
Galina Starovoitova Fellow on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution
Body:
Woodrow Wilson International Center
Statement:
The purpose of this hearing was to highlight the improvements in human rights in Russia since and to focus on the areas in which reform is still needed. The politicized imprisonments, restrictive legislation that muzzles Internet publications, defamation lawsuits has made independent media outlets struggle to survive and impunity in violent attacks against journalists.
These attacks against the media were focused on well-known cases and extraordinary circumstances in Russia. From burdensome registration requirements and visits by the tax police to the confiscation of entire print runs and imposition of crippling fines, from criminal charges for defamation of individuals, institutions or the state, free media faces myriad threats and challenges today.
Relevant issues:
Relevant countries: