Russia criticizes EU's human rights record

I’d say the Russians are just “taking the piss” out of the EU so don’t lose any sleep over this article. Just remember that members of the EU, all bastions of HR freedom, were party to the US rendition programs, or were these programs done under auspices of democracy and respect for HR????
As if torture carried out by the west is best.

"the Russian Ministry Foreign Affairs (sic) said human rights were regularly violated in the EU by many members of the 28-nation bloc."

LOL!

This has made my day!

As of 2013, the only countries in Europe which have a worse ranking on Human Rights than Russia are the Ukraine and Kazakhstan (not really European). Even Belarus is ranked below Russia.

Russia thinks it is now some sort of fine example on Human Rights just because they released a load of political prisoners so that people will attend the Winter Olympics in Sochi LOL!

however bad human rights records may be in the EU, (and bad here is a relative term), they are intergalactic light years ahead of Russia. but i agree that it depends where in the EU one is. at the risk of generalising, the Eastern bloc of the EU is nowhere near as tolerant or open minded as its Western part.

The ICC is considering charges against former British ministers and army chiefs for the deaths ofover 1000 Iraqi civilians and the torture and human rights abuses of another few thousands.Lets wait and see whether Ian will still be talking about human rights in Russia.I would love to see that scum blair in bars.

barriers to entry? Has anyone who authored this report had a look at the Russian visitors' visa application form? They practically want you to list everyone you've talked to since you turned 18

I wonder how one would figure into all these metrics jailing 3 young mothers to hard labor for causing a 30-second disturbance?

What sort of value do you assign to making it illegal to say, "it's ok to love whomever you love"?

Human rights are violated everywhere, with the USA being the worst offender of the so called "free world" (Quantanamo for instance).
However the situation in Europe and in the USA, though not perfect, is heaven compared to living in Russia where if you are born into an ethnic minority, gay, chose to practise journalism as a profession, suffer from a mental illness, a political activist, or just a punk rock group with low opinions about Putin (YES the members of the band 'Pussy Riot" were sent to jail for singing songs about Putin in a church.) then you run the risk of either being indiscriminately jailed or beaten to pulp both with the consent of the authorities.
This report by the Russians is nothing but propaganda NOT to teach the 'west' a lesson but to show their own people that, contrary to popular belief, nowhwere is perfect. They are right in that. It isn't but I still prefer Europe to Russia any day!

Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.
(The Count of Kosova, 16 January 2014 15:07)
==========================
Why dosn't Snowden move to a "democratic" western country then?

With Russia being so concerned about the fate of the Roma, I wonder why Putin has not offered them asylum.
Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.

"...as well as the strengthening of nationalist sentiments in Poland."

This is criticized by Russia where national extremists, Neo-Nazis and other violent hooligans enjoy protection from the state and national minorities are openly harassed by Russian police? Funny!

The ICC is considering charges against former British ministers and army chiefs for the deaths ofover 1000 Iraqi civilians and the torture and human rights abuses of another few thousands.Lets wait and see whether Ian will still be talking about human rights in Russia.I would love to see that scum blair in bars.
(Gotsefromohrid, 16 January 2014 13:34)

Spaz!

Don't go off topic. War Crimes committed in Iraq aren't the same as Human Rights in the UK/ EU. I too want Blair tried and imprisoned for War Crimes committed during the illegal Iraq War.

I am sure that many things in Russia are much improved since communist times. Putin can be a bit droll in his dealings, but is certainly an intelligent and strong politician in the way he has dealt with many things.

It is a shame however that he has not been able to develop the democratic ideals further for the benefit of the Russian people. However, there is time yet if he puts his mind to it.

Commentaries like this article are probably based on something - but certainly not on very much!! In this imperfect world, the EU has not done badly in setting up a balanced and fair system. Russia can poke accusatory comments - but should not believe that it constitutes any vindication for its own faults.

With Russia being so concerned about the fate of the Roma, I wonder why Putin has not offered them asylum.
Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.
(The Count of Kosova, 16 January 2014 15:07)

If I was you boy I’d keep my head down very low. Your human rights observing Albanians in Kosovo mistreated their Roma with some being killed so they now live near Serb settlements to avoid being attacked from their “bros”.

It is a shame however that he has not been able to develop the democratic ideals further for the benefit of the Russian people. However, there is time yet if he puts his mind to it.
(Bob, 16 January 2014 15:02)

That's utopia, dear... Democratic ideals are developed by institutions, not the benevolence of a ruler, even if that ruler were to be an angel.

for once, I think sj is probably right.

I can agree that the Baltics are not acting fairly towards their Russian minorities (they should offer them the possibility of dual citizenship - why not?), not sure of the situation in Finland with regards to their minorities, but accusing Britain of eavesdropping on telephone calls (like Russia has never controlled their citizens) and Poland of nationalist sentiment (what is wrong with that? Healthy nationalism is necessary for a healthy society and not this globalist/consumerist mindset of the West) coming from Russia, who affords much less freedom and human rights towards their own people compared with Britain and is certainly more nationalist than Poland, is the dictionary definition of the pot calling the kettle pitch-black, even.

"the Russian Ministry Foreign Affairs (sic) said human rights were regularly violated in the EU by many members of the 28-nation bloc."

LOL!

This has made my day!

As of 2013, the only countries in Europe which have a worse ranking on Human Rights than Russia are the Ukraine and Kazakhstan (not really European). Even Belarus is ranked below Russia.

Russia thinks it is now some sort of fine example on Human Rights just because they released a load of political prisoners so that people will attend the Winter Olympics in Sochi LOL!

barriers to entry? Has anyone who authored this report had a look at the Russian visitors' visa application form? They practically want you to list everyone you've talked to since you turned 18

however bad human rights records may be in the EU, (and bad here is a relative term), they are intergalactic light years ahead of Russia. but i agree that it depends where in the EU one is. at the risk of generalising, the Eastern bloc of the EU is nowhere near as tolerant or open minded as its Western part.

I wonder how one would figure into all these metrics jailing 3 young mothers to hard labor for causing a 30-second disturbance?

What sort of value do you assign to making it illegal to say, "it's ok to love whomever you love"?

With Russia being so concerned about the fate of the Roma, I wonder why Putin has not offered them asylum.
Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.

I am sure that many things in Russia are much improved since communist times. Putin can be a bit droll in his dealings, but is certainly an intelligent and strong politician in the way he has dealt with many things.

It is a shame however that he has not been able to develop the democratic ideals further for the benefit of the Russian people. However, there is time yet if he puts his mind to it.

Commentaries like this article are probably based on something - but certainly not on very much!! In this imperfect world, the EU has not done badly in setting up a balanced and fair system. Russia can poke accusatory comments - but should not believe that it constitutes any vindication for its own faults.

Human rights are violated everywhere, with the USA being the worst offender of the so called "free world" (Quantanamo for instance).
However the situation in Europe and in the USA, though not perfect, is heaven compared to living in Russia where if you are born into an ethnic minority, gay, chose to practise journalism as a profession, suffer from a mental illness, a political activist, or just a punk rock group with low opinions about Putin (YES the members of the band 'Pussy Riot" were sent to jail for singing songs about Putin in a church.) then you run the risk of either being indiscriminately jailed or beaten to pulp both with the consent of the authorities.
This report by the Russians is nothing but propaganda NOT to teach the 'west' a lesson but to show their own people that, contrary to popular belief, nowhwere is perfect. They are right in that. It isn't but I still prefer Europe to Russia any day!

The ICC is considering charges against former British ministers and army chiefs for the deaths ofover 1000 Iraqi civilians and the torture and human rights abuses of another few thousands.Lets wait and see whether Ian will still be talking about human rights in Russia.I would love to see that scum blair in bars.
(Gotsefromohrid, 16 January 2014 13:34)

Spaz!

Don't go off topic. War Crimes committed in Iraq aren't the same as Human Rights in the UK/ EU. I too want Blair tried and imprisoned for War Crimes committed during the illegal Iraq War.

The ICC is considering charges against former British ministers and army chiefs for the deaths ofover 1000 Iraqi civilians and the torture and human rights abuses of another few thousands.Lets wait and see whether Ian will still be talking about human rights in Russia.I would love to see that scum blair in bars.

"...as well as the strengthening of nationalist sentiments in Poland."

This is criticized by Russia where national extremists, Neo-Nazis and other violent hooligans enjoy protection from the state and national minorities are openly harassed by Russian police? Funny!

I’d say the Russians are just “taking the piss” out of the EU so don’t lose any sleep over this article. Just remember that members of the EU, all bastions of HR freedom, were party to the US rendition programs, or were these programs done under auspices of democracy and respect for HR????
As if torture carried out by the west is best.

It is a shame however that he has not been able to develop the democratic ideals further for the benefit of the Russian people. However, there is time yet if he puts his mind to it.
(Bob, 16 January 2014 15:02)

That's utopia, dear... Democratic ideals are developed by institutions, not the benevolence of a ruler, even if that ruler were to be an angel.

for once, I think sj is probably right.

Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.
(The Count of Kosova, 16 January 2014 15:07)
==========================
Why dosn't Snowden move to a "democratic" western country then?

With Russia being so concerned about the fate of the Roma, I wonder why Putin has not offered them asylum.
Perhaps, because he knows the Roma would politely decline. Also, why hasn't Snowden applied for Russian citizenship.
(The Count of Kosova, 16 January 2014 15:07)

If I was you boy I’d keep my head down very low. Your human rights observing Albanians in Kosovo mistreated their Roma with some being killed so they now live near Serb settlements to avoid being attacked from their “bros”.

I can agree that the Baltics are not acting fairly towards their Russian minorities (they should offer them the possibility of dual citizenship - why not?), not sure of the situation in Finland with regards to their minorities, but accusing Britain of eavesdropping on telephone calls (like Russia has never controlled their citizens) and Poland of nationalist sentiment (what is wrong with that? Healthy nationalism is necessary for a healthy society and not this globalist/consumerist mindset of the West) coming from Russia, who affords much less freedom and human rights towards their own people compared with Britain and is certainly more nationalist than Poland, is the dictionary definition of the pot calling the kettle pitch-black, even.