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US to allocate $29 million for democracy and human rights in Russia

31 July 2009 10:37 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“APA. The United States will allocate $29 million for the development of democracy and protection of human rights in Russia this year, said US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon, APA reports quoting RIA-Novosty. Gordon said during the hearing at the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that the US supported universal rights and freedoms both inside the country and in the world, including Russia. â€œWe consider it necessary to support the human right defenders. US government will allocate totally $29 million for the development of democracy and human rights in Russia this year. Most part of these resources will be spent to the strengthening of civil society, independent media and supremacy of lawâ€.

Gordon mentioned the killing of human rights defender Natalya Estemirova in Russia. â€œThis tragedy reminded about the threats the civil society faces in Russia and made urgent to achieve progress in our relations with Russia in the field of civil societyâ€.