 Source: HRO.org (info) If confirmed as the new ombudsman for human rights, Ella Pamfilova will look into high-profile prosecutions, including the Bolotnaya case. She stated this on air on the Russia 24 TV channel, Russkaya planeta reports, citing Interfax. "The degree to which the judgment is just will largely determine how to proceed - to what degree it is fair, to what degree it is objective,” she said. Pamfilova noted that the positions taken by human rights activists, including the current human rights ombudsman, Vladimir Lukin, and the law enforcement officers, were diametrically opposed, and that “this problem should be solved somehow." "You can certainly turn a blind eye to what is happening, but you can’t ignore it. One must learn to analyse, eye to eye, step by step, where we are in agreement, even in such a serious case as this, and where our opinions differ. And then draw closer through argument: through arguments, not emotions, not on the basis of some other interests, but by arguments, fair and balanced," the candidate for the post of federal human rights ombudsman explained. The powers of the current ombudsman for human rights Lukin expired on 18th February. He had held this position for two terms, for almost 10 years, and by law could not be nominated for a third term. On 21st January, the members of the Human Rights Council asked President Vladimir Putin to appoint Pamfilova to the post of ombudsman. Two days later, the President approved the proposal and submitted Pamfilova’s candidacy on February 13 to the State Duma for consideration. Translated by Graham Jones |
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