[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12861]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          RUSSIA HUMAN RIGHTS

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I wish to voice my concern about the 
deteriorating human rights situation in Russia. A decade after the 
break-up of the Soviet Union, Russia still faces enormous obstacles to 
becoming a stable and prosperous nation. Russia's GDP is less than half 
of what it was before the break-up, with much of its population 
impoverished and uncertain about its future. Russia's medical system is 
in near collapse, and both life expectancy birthrates have declined 
sharply. Crime is escalating, and corruption is widespread.
  This is a scenario that would challenge any government. It will 
require great leadership to turn things around in order to move Russia 
towards greater freedom and prosperity. But recent events have made me 
fearful that, rather than leading Russia forward, President Putin and 
his government are leading their country back into the regrettable 
past.
  The apparently baseless arrest of Vladimir Gusinsky raises new 
concerns about President Putin's commitment to an independent media, 
particularly in light of his government's abuse of Radio Liberty 
journalist Andrey Babitsky in retaliation for critical reporting from 
Chechnya. The Russian government has not heeded international calls for 
an independent investigation into reports of escalating human rights 
abuses allegedly committed by Russian troops against Chechen civilians. 
The reported harassment by the Putin government against some religious 
minorities, including pressure placed on a prominent Jewish group, is 
also extremely troubling.
  Mr. President, a Russia that is democratic and free and follows the 
rule of law will be a strong and prosperity country, a source of pride 
to its people, and an ally respected by all nations. I call on Congress 
and the Administration to do all that is possible to ensure that 
President Putin moves his country towards this goal.

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