President Vladimir Putin received him earlier on the day. While in conference, they were discussing human rights compliance in Russia, and the report, which had been prepared with full support by the President and other authorities. Such help started after his latest visit to Moscow, a year ago, added Senor Gil-Robles.
He had spent several months in Russia to prepare the report, he said.
The report highlights the necessity to promote independence of the judiciary, which must go hand in hand with government economic support of judicial authorities. The paper mentions police precincts and pre-trial detention prisons, many of which are in deplorable material conditions. It insistently calls for freedom of the press and speech, for encouragement of free public discussions, and a multifaceted pluralistic television, the commissioner went on.
He approved Russian offices for starting to implement report recommendations.
As the commissioner said, he had met Russia's Justice and Interior ministers. Even though the Cabinet is drawing a generalized answer to his report, he was informed even now about certain steps made following those recommendations. In particular, the Justice Ministry will overtake, within a few days, responsibility for pre-trial detention prisons from the Federal Security Service, or FSB.
Such prisons are to pass into the Justice Ministry jurisdiction, minister Yuri Chaika announced yesterday.
