Human Rights Abuses in Russia Focus of Upcoming Helsinki Commission Hearing

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today announced a hearing to examine the grim state of human rights and democracy in the Russian Federation.

DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN RUSSIA: NO END IN SIGHT

Wednesday, April 26, 2017
9:30 AM
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room 124

Live Webcast: http://www.senate.gov/isvp/?type=live&comm=csce&filename=csce042617

Russia's overt external aggression against countries such as Ukraine, its support for the Assad regime in Syria, and its efforts to disrupt western democracies are made possible by the internal repression of its own people.

For example, Russia has not had a free and fair election since March 2000. Opposition activists are routinely assaulted or even murdered, giving rise to a new term: "Sudden Kremlin Death Syndrome." Political prisoner numbers now match those of the late Soviet era, and on March 26, tens of thousands of people in cities across 11 time zones protested widespread government corruption, with more than 1,000 arrested. More nationwide protests are expected on June 12, the national holiday of the Russian Federation.

The following witnesses are scheduled to testify:

• Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice Chairman, Open Russia
• Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division, Human Rights Watch
• Daniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President, Freedom House