§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Russia. [78382]
§ Ms QuinRussia has made progress towards the rule of law and democracy. But we remain concerned about anti-semitism; the law on religion; prison conditions; and the cases of the environmentalists Nikitin and Pasko, among other issues. We raise our concerns frequently with the Russians. The Foreign Secretary did so most recently during his visit to Russia on 3 to 5 March. We also hold annual talks with the Russians on human rights.