Russ Feingold: “I wish to voice my concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia. A decade after the break-up of the…”

“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.”