UN Authority Figures

U.N. General Assembly, Vice-President: Russia

In August 2012 Russian Punk Band was Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Anti-Putin Stunt. (NY Times, August 17, 2012)

Mission of the General Assembly:
"The General Assembly shall initiate studies and make recommendations for the purpose of:

a. promoting international co-operation in the political field and encouraging the progressive development of international law and its codification; b. promoting international co-operation in the economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and assisting in the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion." ("UN Charter")

Term of office: 2012-2013

Russia's Record on "the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion":
"There were numerous reports of government and societal human rights problems and abuses during the year. The government's human rights record remained poor...Federal and local security forces in Chechnya targeted families of suspected insurgents with impunity...Government pressure weakened freedom of expression and media independence, particularly of the major television networks. Five journalists were killed during the year, in one case...by police. Unresolved killings of journalists remained a problem...[T]he government restricted media freedom through direct ownership of media outlets, pressuring the owners of major media outlets to abstain from critical coverage, and harassing and intimidating journalists into practicing self-censorship. Local governments limited freedom of assembly, and police sometimes used violence to prevent groups from engaging in peaceful protest. The government limited freedom of association. The government restricted religious groups in some regions, and there were incidents of societal discrimination, harassment, and violence against religious minorities, including anti-Semitism...Continuing centralization of power in the executive branch, a compliant State Duma, corruption and selectivity in enforcement of the law, media restrictions, and harassment of some NGOs eroded the government's accountability to its citizens. The government restricted opposition political parties' ability to participate in the political process...The government restricted the activities of some nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)...Authorities exhibited hostility toward, and sometimes harassed, NGOs involved in human rights monitoring as well as those receiving foreign funding...Violence against women and children were problems, and domestic violence was widespread. Trafficking in persons continued to be a significant problem. There was some governmental discrimination and widespread societal discrimination as well as racially motivated attacks against ethnic minorities and dark-skinned immigrants or guest-workers...Instances of forced labor were also reported." (US State Department's Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2008, Russia)