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Poland ‘concerned’ after Russian crackdown on pension protests

PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki 12.09.2018 07:30
Poland's foreign ministry has voiced concern over what it said was an unjustified use of force and detention of people protesting against pension reforms in Russia.
Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Warsaw. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Adrian Grycuk.Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Warsaw. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Adrian Grycuk.

“Poland was concerned to learn about the reaction of Russian authorities to protests against the retirement age reform held on 9 September 2018 in a number of Russian cities,” the Polish foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

It added: “In our assessment, the use of force and the detention of several hundred people who were peacefully expressing their views is unjustified and questions the Russian Federation’s international obligations in terms of protection of human rights to express one’s opinions, including criticism of the authorities.”

According to the Polish foreign ministry, “the conduct of the [Russian] authorities towards minors is particularly worrying.”

The foreign ministry in Warsaw also said on its website that “Poland joins the European Union in its call on Russia to respect its obligations and to promptly release the detainees, especially the young people and journalists.”

Russian police detained more than 800 people protesting against planned increases to the retirement age on Sunday, disrupting demonstrations against an unpopular change that has hurt President Vladimir Putin’s approval rating, the Reuters news agency has reported, citing a rights group.

(gs/pk)

Source: msz.gov.pl, reuters.com

tags: Russia
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