MOSCOW, October 13 (RIA Novosti) - U.S...

The United States has repeatedly voiced concerns over the alleged erosion of democracy and human rights in Russia under President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin, in turn, has warned against outside interference, and condemns the use of NGOs by foreign states to influence domestic policy.

Rice's meeting in the U.S. Embassy, attended by several heads of NGOs, appeared likely to further strain tensions with Moscow. However, according to one of the officials present at the talks, she avoided making judgments on the rights situation in Russia.

Alexander Brod, head of the Moscow Human Rights Bureau, told RIA Novosti: "She did not give an assessment. Those present gave their evaluation of the situation as a whole, and discussed particular areas of human rights violations."

Brod said the meeting was attended by eight rights leaders including Russia's human rights ombudsman Vladimir Lukin, formerly Russian ambassador to the United States, Lyudmila Alexeyeva, chair

Pages: [1] 2 3