Human rights 'at risk in Russia', says Irish group

Stefania Kulaeva of Russian anti-discrimination organisation ADC Memorial. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.

Fionnan Sheahan Group Political Editor

THE human rights crisis in Russia goes far wider than the high-profile persecution of gay people, a leading international human rights organisation says.

To coincide with the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Front Line Defenders launched a campaign to focus on the plight of human rights activists in Russia and Central Asia.

The Dublin-based organisation's online campaign focused on 12 human rights defenders and is aimed to encourage people to take action. The campaign was launched by the head of a Russian anti-discrimination organisation, ADC Memorial.

Front Line Defenders' executive director Mary Lawlor said human rights activists needed support to help achieve their goals.

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS' RIGHTS. RISKS. CHANGE CAMPAIGN IS ON WWW.SPORTSHRD.ORG/