Pamfilova sees main threat of human rights protection in Russia in high level of corruption
MOSCOW. March 18 (Interfax) - Corruption is the main obstacle to the solution of human rights problems in Russia, Ella Pamfilova, a leading candidate to the post of Russia's human rights ombudsman, said.
"It is difficult to protect human rights and freedoms in a society where the level of corruption is high," she said in the State Duma on Tuesday.
"I see the main threat to human rights protection in the high level of corruption, especially in the law enforcement bodies. It's our common cause to decriminalize our state and commercial structures," Pamfilova said.
Human rights protection should be increased in order to increase the confidence between the authorities and society, she said.
"The level of confidence in the president is very high now, but, unfortunately, people's confidence in many levels of the administration is very low. This is due to the high level of arbitrariness, the high level of indifference. There is no feedback between people and many authorities," Pamfilova said.
On Tuesday, the State Duma began the procedure for appointing a new human rights ombudsman in Russia.
The powers of Vladimir Lukin as human rights ombudsman have now expired.