The remark addressed to the officials was given on 10 February at the legislative council’s meeting where Commissioner for Human Rights in Sverdlovsk Region Tatiana Merzlyakova delivered her report 2014 to the deputies and public human rights defenders. The applications received by the Commissioner (incl. those in person and during working meetings with residents of the region) prove high public discontent with the life quality. The data of regional public and human rights organisations confirm that as well.

Almost half (48%) of 4,652 complaints submitted to the Commissioner last year was about violations of rights and freedoms in social sphere. Most frequent appeals were about pension and social support, enjoyment of the right for dwelling, healthcare and medical aid, disagreement with the housing and public utilities’ bills, and actions of management companies’ representatives. In addition, there was an increase in total number of requests related to the rights of refugees and displaced persons, as well as infringements in the fields of education and legal proceedings.

In her report Ms Merzlyakova paid special attention to the problems that could not be solved without coordinated actions of the deputies, governor’s office and the public. Among them there were the issue of shutting down the Ural Mineralogical Museum and the decision of the VGTRK (The All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company) to stop broadcasting of the Radio of Russia and the Mayak (Lighthouse) at the LF and MF-waves in Sverdlovsk region.

To conclude, the Commissioner drew the audience’s attention to the fact that the obvious discrepancy between the reports of the officials and assessment of the reality by people fails to contribute to the development of measures of state response to human rights violations. According to Ms Merzlyakova, it is essential that the districts’ authorities stop waiting for orders from above and take a closer look at the territories they are in charge of.