World Conference on Human Rights in Moscow in 2023?

Head of Russian Human Rights Council proposes holding Human Rights Conference in Moscow

23.10.2018

The World Conference on Human Rights could take place in Moscow in 2023 to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights.

The head of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Mikhail Fedotov intends to submit the relevant proposal to President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at a human rights forum in Athens, Fedotov noted that recently, a “new generation of human rights” had been emerged, while “new challenges in human rights had arisen, along with a new awareness”. He said, “We need to comprehend and discuss all of this at a major platform”, reports RIA Novosti.

In addition, the head of the Council proposed that Russia adopt a national plan of action to strengthen its adherence to human rights standards, with society monitoring the implementation of the plan.

“This plan of action will support women, children, people with disabilities and national minorities. These are all aspects of human rights. Let’s come together, coordinate, and see where we’re lacking and what we have forgotten”, said Fedotov, as quoted by the news agency.

On 22 October, Mikhail Fedotov spoke at the International Expert Forum on Tolerance, introducing a report entitled ‘Xenophobia as an extremist ideology’. He explained that “for Russia, the task of facilitating international and interfaith peace is a question of national security” and went on to describe the work of the Council in that sphere.

As reported by the press service of the Council, the Chair presented statistics which showed that the more broadly the concept of “inciting hatred” was interpreted, the larger the number of people that turned out to be extremists. In addition, he expressed certainty that this trend could be reversed with the aid of non-governmental organisations.

Prior to the forum, the Human Rights Council prepared a set of proposals, one of which involved decriminalising Section One of Article 282 of the Criminal Code. As a result, the President of Russia drafted a bill to amend the Russian Criminal Code in an effort to decriminalise “inciting hatred”.

Source: https://www.asi.org.ru/news/2018/10/23/konferentsiya-po-pravam-cheloveka-fedotov

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