EU-Russia Civil Society Forum Working Group on Human Rights Meets in Tallinn

"In international relations, human rights issues are often overshadowed by economic interests or manipulated to achieve political aims,” said Mall Hellam, director of the Open Estonia Foundation that is hosting the Tallinn event in cooperation with youth organization Open Republic. “Therefore civil society organizations that are motivated by the values themselves have a great opportunity and responsibility to participate. “

The event brings together thirteen human rights activists from Russia, among them Yuri Dzhibladze, the president of the Center for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights. 

“[Today's] discussion will hopefully enhance the understanding that human rights are universal,” said Foreign Minister Urmas Paet when discussing Estonia's candidacy for membership to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2012 to 2015.

The EU-Russia Civil Society Forum was created last March in Prague. The next summit will be held in Warsaw on December 1 and 2, 2011.

Russian organizations represented in Tallinn include the Institute of Human Rights, Center for Development of Democracy and Human Rights, International Youth Human Rights Movement, Moscow Helsinki Group and Citizens Watch. Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, People in Need from the Czech Republic and participating Estonian human rights organizations speak on behalf of Europe.

Further information about the Forum can be found here: http://www.eu-russia-csf.org/

Additional info:

Kelly Grossthal
kelly@oef.org.ee
+372 615 5700

Mari Kodres
mari@oef.org.ee
+ 372 564 54598