On 12 April, Commissioner for Human Rights in Moscow Tatiana Potyaeva provided regional parliamentarians with a report on the observance of human rights and freedoms in 2016 and commented a number of topical human rights issues.

The Commissioner noted that the number of appeals to the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Moscow in 2016 decreased by about 20%. According to the Commissioner 3627 applications were considered in 2016. Most of explanations were given concerning housing and education issues, and civil litigation.

The decrease of the complaints number is connected with the development of the official website of the Commissioner with information and educational sections, as well as the addition of the column «Legal Workshop» in the quarterly published human rights bulletin «The Moscow Ombudsman».

Tatiana Potyaeva paid special attention to the human rights protection in the detention facilities and reported that an information guide was currently being developed in Moscow for prisoners and prisoners released from prisons in order to assist in socialization and employment.

In addition the Commissioner said that the overcrowding of pretrial detention centres in Moscow is decreased by 7% to 22.8% for the past nine months. She also added that law enforcers are taking measures to reduce the arrest time of suspects and defendants, as well as to select alternative restraint measures.

The Commissioner also said that she would take under control the residents’ opinions during the implementation of the demolition program of five-story buildings in the capital.

In conclusion, Tatiana Potyaeva added that she in cooperation with public organizations would take part in the concept development of an accessible environment for disabled people prior to the 2018 World Cup. The opening and the final matches must be held in «Luzhniki» in Moscow, in total 12 matches will take place in Moscow.

Based on the media

Photo: the press service of the Commissioner for Human Rights in Moscow