HL Deb 11 January 2005 vol 668 cc30-1WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Russian Government about the cases of the journalists Paul Klebnikov, Andrei Babitski, Raf Shakirov and Anna Politkovskaya; if so, with what results; and whether international organisations have had any satisfaction as regards the impunity of the journalists' attackers. [HL495]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We raised our concerns about media freedom in Russia, and specifically attacks and harassment of journalists in Russia, during out bilateral human rights discussions with the Russian Government in September 2004. We will reiterate these concerns and raise these specific cases at the next round of human rights discussions with the Russian Government in early 2005. In addition, staff at our Embassy in Moscow continue to raise concerns about media freedoms in Russia at every suitable opportunity.