Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs written question – answered at on 21 February 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of levels of xenophobia and anti-Semitism in Russia.
Reports by NGOs and in the media about prejudice and violence against minorities in Russia are concerning. These reports indicate that racially motivated crimes against black, Asian, Caucasian and Jewish people in Russia appear to be increasing. One report from the Sova human rights centre in Moscow suggests that the number of racially motivated deaths in Russia increased from around 15 in 2003 to at least 44 in 2004.
The growth of extremist neo-Nazi and skinhead organisations is another concerning development. A report by the Moscow Bureau for Human Rights estimated that, at the end of 2003, there were 50,000 skinheads across Russia, mainly concentrated in the larger cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
While reports of growing anti-Semitism in Russia continue, Jewish groups agree that there is no state-sponsored anti-Semitism in Russia and President Vladimir Putin has demonstrated sympathy for Jewish interests. However, prejudice remains common and reports of sporadic attacks on Jewish buildings and individuals continue.
The Government's position on such issues is well known: we condemn all forms of discrimination and are committed to countering intolerance at home and abroad as an integral part of protecting and promoting human rights.
To help combat racism and xenophobia in Russia the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has funded a one-year project to assist NGOs representing ethnic minorities in the regions. We are also co-funding an ambitious project to bring ethnic minority NGOs and the police together in different regions to develop strategies for tackling racism and discrimination. A further project, started in 2003, provides legal support and takes on strategic litigation to protect the rights of the Roma community.
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