    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [November 26, 2007]
    [Page 1493]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Situation in Russia
    November 26, 2007

        I am deeply concerned about the detention of numerous human rights
    activists and political leaders who participated in peaceful rallies in
    Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, and Nazran this weekend. I am
    particularly troubled by the use of force by law enforcement authorities
    to stop these peaceful activities and to prevent some journalists and
    human rights activists from covering them.
        The freedoms of expression, assembly, and press, as well as due
    process, are fundamental to any democratic society. I am hopeful that
    the Government of Russia will honor its international obligations in
    these areas, investigate allegations of abuses, and free those who
    remain in detention.