LIEBERMAN CONDEMNS DETENTION OF OPPOSITION PROTESTORS IN RUSSIA

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) issued the following statement about the detention over the weekend of political protesters, including former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, in Russia:

“I am deeply concerned by Russian authorities’ detention over this past weekend of dozens of opposition protesters, including former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov. Ironically, these citizens were gathering in support of Article 31 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly. The behavior of Russian authorities in this case illustrate precisely why there continue to be doubts in the rest of the world about rule of law in Russia. Russian authorities must understand that when they infringe on the rights of citizens, it not only calls into question their commitment to universal values enshrined in international agreements that Russia has signed, but also undermines the trust that is essential for both foreign investment in Russia and a strong bilateral relationship with the United States.

“It was Andrei Sakharov who famously warned that a country that does not respect the rights of its own people will not respect the rights of its neighbors. While I have been supportive of the Obama administration’s efforts to “reset” U.S.-Russian relations, this policy must not cause us to downplay or diminish our support for human rights and democratic values in Russia or hesitate to criticize the Russian government when it violates them. I am glad that the National Security Council issued a statement yesterday expressing concern about the unjust detention of these protesters, and I hope that the Administration will continue to speak out loudly and clearly on this matter until the individuals in question have been released.”

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