Finns Call on Medvedev to End Violations of Rights and Freedoms in Russia

Four leading Finnish non-governmental organizations have called on visiting President Dmitry Medvedev to live up to his promises to protect human rights and civic freedoms and to end the violence against journalists and ethnic minorities in the Russian Federation that are creating a gulf between Moscow and Europe.

Medvedev’s Visit in Finland Begins Monday

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev arrived in Finland around noon on Monday for a state visit. The two-day visit includes official talks with president Tarja Halonen. Top agenda items during talks include energy, Russian timber tariffs and easing visa formalities between the two countries.