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Global Security (Russia)

I am pleased to follow the hon. Member for Ilford, South (Mike Gapes), the Chairman of the Committee, in the House's consideration of what I believe to be an important report. I hope that the House will find it well informed and fairly balanced. I find it difficult to be anything other than extremely concerned about the direction in which Russia has been going under President Putin—a direction that looks set to continue for several years to come, whatever post Mr. Putin holds. I note that in its response, the Foreign Office—in a wonderfully diplomatic Foreign Office-esque phrase—referred to"““the further shrinking of democratic space””" in Russia. I would have used rather more plain language. In my view, what has been going on is the steady erosion of fundamental human rights there. As the hon. Gentleman observed, the writing is on the wall. The litmus test in most countries in the modern world is freedom of the media. On that test, Russia fails comprehensively. Since the Yeltsin era, one has seen a steady erosion of the media's freedom, particularly in television and radio broadcasts, which is the main source of information for most Russian people. Those individuals courageous enough to stand out against the regime—those who are seen by the regime to be serious political opponents or serious thorns in the flesh—have been subjected to personal intimidation, harassment, violence against their persons and against their homes, jailing and in some cases straight murder. Such murders have been committed both in Russia and, it appears, outside Russia. When it comes to democratic elections, Russia's record is extremely disappointing. In its response, the Foreign Office referred to the obstruction being put in the face of international observers, describing it as"““significant and unprecedented obstruction from the Russian government.””" That, of course, led to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's specialist organisation for monitoring elections, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, withdrawing from monitoring both the Duma and the presidential elections.