On 24 June, High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Ella Pamfilova and Director General of the CE's Directorate General of Human Rights and the Rule of Law Philippe Boillat signed an agreement on the joint implementation of the Next Generation Russian PMC Project within the next three years (up to 2017).

The agreement was signed with participation of President of the Project Vladimir Lukin, Head of the Human Rights Policy and Co-operation Department Mikhail Lobov, and Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in the Russian Federation Petr Sich.

Having signed the agreement, the parties exchanged their opinions on current human rights issues.

For reference: the joint project has been being implemented since 2011. Within the framework of the project, the exchange of experience with European human rights organisations takes place, the practical assistance in arranging regional PMCs’ activities is provided, as well as classes on public control issues and organisation of interaction between the federal and regional human rights commissioners, civic chambers and state authorities are held.