OSCE: INPUT FOR THE HUMAN DIMENSION CONFERENCE FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001742 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2018 TAGS: PHUM OSCE PGOV RS SUBJECT: OSCE: INPUT FOR THE HUMAN DIMENSION CONFERENCE FOR RUSSIA REF: STATE 60838 Classified By: CDA Daniel Russell for reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Per reftel request, Post proposes the following areas of concern for the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw: conduct of elections, xenophobia, migrant labor, and the treatment of refugees. Framing the discussion in forward-leaning terms, by taking Medvedev's call for strengthened democratic institutions and the rule of law at face value, and expanding the discussion beyond the Russia-specific, provide the best chance to elicit a constructive GOR response. End Summary. ¶2. (C) Democratic Elections: In both the December 2007 State Duma elections and the March 2008 Presidential elections, we noted that the Russian government had effectively limited political pluralism through the use of administrative resources, biased media coverage (especially in state-controlled television),and intimidation and restriction of the political opposition. In December 2007, restrictions by the GOR led ODIHR to scrap plans to observe the Duma elections. During the campaign and his initial days in office, Medvedev has endorsed the importance of political pluralism and press freedom. Russia can be encouraged to address concerns raised during the electoral campaign in future regional and national elections. ¶3. (C) Xenophobia/Hate Crimes: Russia has experienced an alarming spike in 2008 in the number of ethnically motivated attacks in Russia, concentrated in Moscow and St. Petersburg. While law enforcement organs have taken some steps to prosecute these crimes, the underlying intolerance fueling these crimes needs to be addressed. We can welcome Medvedev's public condemnation of xenophobia and the efforts of Human Rights Ombudsman Lukin to draw attention to the issue. ¶4. (C) Migrant Labor: We note that Russia's migration legislation implemented last year clarified labor laws for migrant workers, but the GOR needs to improve implementation and continue efforts to create a comprehensive migration policy. In particular, the GOR should address issues such as equal employment, taxation, and access to health care for migrant workers. Placing the challenge facing Russia in the broader European and American context and welcoming a discussion of best practices may be greeted by GOR officials. ¶5. (C) Treatment of Refugees: We note that the Moscow office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported earlier this year that Russia has opened its refugee status determination procedure to all who wish to claim the country's protection and agreed to reconsider previously rejected cases where applicants continue to assert that they would face persecution if repatriated. We should welcome this important step forward. ¶6. (C) Comment: Russia will react predictably and negatively to any perceived "name and shame" campaign, portraying Western criticism as part of the OSCE bias and "condescension" towards former Soviet republics. The more we can place the challenges facing Russia in the context of Medvedev's stated reform agenda, or broaden the focus beyond Russia, the greater the prospect of a substantive dialogue. With Russia on the offensive against OSCE "double standards," government leaders and the press will trumpet OSCE "bias" to a domestic audience predisposed to believe they are distrusted and conspired against by the West. RUSSELL