White House ‘Concerned’ About Arrests In Russia
By KUNA
The United States is “concerned” by reports of the detention on Thursday of many Russian citizens who were participating in peaceful rallies throughout Russia to demonstrate their support for Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees Russian citizens the right to peaceful assembly, the White House said.
“The United States reiterates the importance of embracing and protecting universal values, including freedoms of expression and assembly, enshrined in the Russian Constitution as well as in international agreements Russia has signed,” said the statement, from National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor, released on Thursday evening.
Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are vital ingredients of sound political systems, and essential for economic modernization and broad-based prosperity, Vietor said.
“Without freedom of assembly, it will be impossible to foster genuine competition during Russia’s parliamentary elections in December,” he said.
