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Western political pressure on Mali unacceptable — Russian delegation to UNHRC

Russia "closely monitors the human rights situation in Mali," noting the openness of the country’s leadership for dialogue with international organizations, Ruslan Stroganov said

GENEVA, March 28. /TASS/. Russia considers the West’s attempts to squeeze Mali politically unacceptable, the Russian delegation said during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, calling for the African country to be provided with "real assistance."

"The Malian leadership requires constructive support at all levels from the international community, not political pressure that the countries of the ‘collective West’ try to exert, including via international human rights mechanisms," representative of the Russian delegation Ruslan Stroganov said. "We consider these methods unacceptable. We call to reject this practice and switch to providing Mali with real technical cooperation taking into account the interests of the leadership and people of this country."

Russia "closely monitors the human rights situation in Mali," noting the openness of the country’s leadership for dialogue with international organizations, the representative said. In this regard, Stroganov pointed out that the Malian authorities "have to deal with many problems, including illegal militias and terrorist groups operating there." The security problems "directly affect not only the human rights situation, but the situation in the country in general," the diplomat underscored.

Moscow supports the "course of the Malian government to ensure the strict protection of human rights by law enforcement and armed forces members, carrying out scrupulous investigation of all cases of potential violations in this area," the Russian diplomat concluded.

The 55th Human Rights Council session takes place in Geneva between February 26 and April 5. Russia is not a member of this council, but it actively participates in its meetings.

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