A/S LOWENKRON'S MEETING WITH RUSSIA HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 000797

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI RS
SUBJECT: A/S LOWENKRON'S MEETING WITH RUSSIA HUMAN RIGHTS
OMBUDSMAN VLADIMIR LUKIN


Classified By: Ambassador William J. Burns. For reasons 1.4
(b and d).


1. (C) SUMMARY. In a January 18 meeting with DRL A/S
Lowenkron and the Ambassador, Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir
Lukin said that his office has seen an increase in complaints
of human rights violations. Lukin highlighted his office's
critical analysis of the first draft of the NGO law, saying
that later analysis from the Presidential Administration
mirrored many of his office's concerns. Lukin said that
foreign and domestic criticism could have been avoided had
legislators taken into account feedback before introducing
legislation. He identified the ambiguity of the phrase
"improper activity" in the NGO law as particularly worrisome
and would not rule out further amendments to the law. A/S
Lowenkron expressed USG concern with the law, both in its
draft stages and now in its implementation, and thanked Lukin
for being vocal on issues of concern. END SUMMARY.

ROLE OF AN OMBUDSMAN
--------------


2. (C) On January 18 Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin
discussed with A/S Lowenkron, Ambassador Burns, and DAS
Kramer the role of his office in handling complaints of human
rights violations. According to Lukin, his office has
recently seen an increase in complaints, with approximately
40,000 received in his office annually. Half of these
complaints related to social problems, primarily lodged by
pensioners, military servicemen, and government workers. A
third related to law enforcement abuses, which sometimes
occurred in the regions. Lukin said that his office sent
representatives to investigate such complaints in the regions
and to demand punishment, when necessary, from the local
authorities. Lukin added that he has brought complaints
directly to President Putin several times when his office
could not resolve them. Other complaints related to
political rights, including manipulation in elections or
pressure on mass media.


3. (C) To respond to complaints, Lukin explained, his office
used both public and private tactics to denounce human rights
violations. He stressed that he was not a politician. It
was important to work constructively with the authorities to
the extent possible, but at the same time to avoid the
impression of being under the authorities' direction.

NGO LAW
--------------


4. (C) When A/S Lowenkron asked if Lukin foresaw more
complaints for his office due to the new NGO law, Lukin
responded that it would depend on how the law is implemented.
Lukin said that his office was very critical of the first
draft of the law and subsequently sent a legal opinion to the
Duma and to the Presidential Administration reflecting his
concerns. Ella Pamfilova of the Presidential's Council on
Human Rights, the Public Chamber, and other public
organizations also voiced their concerns. It was after this,
said Lukin, that the Presidential Administration released its
legal opinion, which reflected many of the concerns in
Lukin's report. Once the new version of the law appeared in
the Duma, his office again completed an analysis of the new
draft, which was an improvement over the first draft.


5. (C) Lukin expressed particular concern with the part of
the NGO law which refers to NGOs carrying out "improper
activities." According to Lukin, he raised the problem of
the vagueness of this phrase in a December 10 meeting with
President Putin. Lukin said that domestic and foreign
criticism generated by the NGO law could have been avoided
had legislators taken into account feedback from various
organizations before introducing the draft legislation. He
added that Putin had assured German Chancellor Angela Merkel
recently that implementation of the law would not harm
domestic and foreign organizations. If complaints appeared,
Lukin's office would investigate. If the implementation
resulted in problematic situations, Lukin commented that he
would not rule out amendments to the law, as has happened
with previous laws.


6. (C) A/S Lowenkron underlined that the USG had been very
concerned about the draft law and still had serious concerns
about how the law would be implemented. Lowenkron expressed
his appreciation to Lukin for raising areas of concern in the
legislation and for encouraging consultation before
introducing legislation. Lowenkron also agreed that the
issue of "improper activity" needed clarification. Its
vagueness would allow for abuse: arbitrary decisions,
delays, and lack of transparency on the part of Russian
authorities.

MOSCOW 00000797 002 OF 002




7. (U) A/S Lowenkron has cleared this cable.
BURNS