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Angela Merkel raises concerns with Vladimir Putin over persecution of gay people in Chechnya | Angela Merkel raises concerns with Vladimir Putin over persecution of gay people in Chechnya |
(35 minutes later) | |
Angela Merkel has publicly raised concerns over the reported persecution of gay men in Chechnya with Vladimir Putin, following wide-ranging talks. | |
The German Chancellor raised the alleged capture and torture of more than 100 people at a joint press conference with the Russian President in Sochi. | |
The Kremlin has backed the Chechen government's denials over the brutal campaign, saying it had "no information" to support research by journalists and human rights groups. | The Kremlin has backed the Chechen government's denials over the brutal campaign, saying it had "no information" to support research by journalists and human rights groups. |
Ms Merkel called on the Russian government to properly investigate the allegations and ensure that LGBT people are fully protected in the territories and elsewhere. | Ms Merkel called on the Russian government to properly investigate the allegations and ensure that LGBT people are fully protected in the territories and elsewhere. |
She also called for freedom of assembly to be protected, after Russian riot police arrested protesters demonstrating against the persecution. | She also called for freedom of assembly to be protected, after Russian riot police arrested protesters demonstrating against the persecution. |
“It’s important to have the right to demonstrate in a democracy, and the role of NGOs is very importance,” Ms Merkel said. | “It’s important to have the right to demonstrate in a democracy, and the role of NGOs is very importance,” Ms Merkel said. |
“I asked Mr Putin to use his influence to protect these minority rights, as well as in the case of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” | |
Russia’s Supreme Court recently banned the Christian sect as an “extremist organisation”, placing it under the same laws as Isis and Nazis. | Russia’s Supreme Court recently banned the Christian sect as an “extremist organisation”, placing it under the same laws as Isis and Nazis. |
Ukraine and Syria dominated the pair's meeting, with the German Chancellor calling on Russia to guarantee repeatedly failed ceasefires in both wars. | Ukraine and Syria dominated the pair's meeting, with the German Chancellor calling on Russia to guarantee repeatedly failed ceasefires in both wars. |
In Ukraine, Russia supports separatist rebels fighting the EU-backed Kiev government, while it is allied with President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. | In Ukraine, Russia supports separatist rebels fighting the EU-backed Kiev government, while it is allied with President Bashar al-Assad in Syria. |
Mr Putin claimed his government condemns the use of chemical weapons by any party in the conflict and called for an investigation. | Mr Putin claimed his government condemns the use of chemical weapons by any party in the conflict and called for an investigation. |
"Those guilty must be found and punished, but this can be only done after an impartial investigation," he said. | "Those guilty must be found and punished, but this can be only done after an impartial investigation," he said. |
“A solution in Syria can be only found by peaceful means and under the aegis of the United Nations." | “A solution in Syria can be only found by peaceful means and under the aegis of the United Nations." |
But the Kremlin has repeatedly refuted reports - including from French intelligence services - saying a sarin gas attack that killed dozens of civilians in Khan Sheikhoun was carried out by the regime. | But the Kremlin has repeatedly refuted reports - including from French intelligence services - saying a sarin gas attack that killed dozens of civilians in Khan Sheikhoun was carried out by the regime. |
In Ukraine, a peace agreement struck in Minsk has been repeatedly violated by both sides as fighting continues. | In Ukraine, a peace agreement struck in Minsk has been repeatedly violated by both sides as fighting continues. |
Mr Putin claimed the Ukrainian government was the illegitimate product of a "coup" against pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych, and blamed Kiev for the separation of two rebel republics. | Mr Putin claimed the Ukrainian government was the illegitimate product of a "coup" against pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych, and blamed Kiev for the separation of two rebel republics. |
Ms Merkel said she "disagreed" with his interpretation of the conflict, where Russia was accused of violating international law by annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. | Ms Merkel said she "disagreed" with his interpretation of the conflict, where Russia was accused of violating international law by annexing the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. |
The conflict is one of several issues driving worsening relations with the West, as well as accusations of interference in elections in the US, Germany and elsewhere. | |
Mr Putin dismissed a journalist’s question on the claims at Tuesday’s press conference, saying accusations of aiding Donald Trump’s campaign were unproven “rumours” used for internal politics. | |
“We never interfere in other countries’ politics and we want no one to meddle in ours,” the Russian President said. | |
“Unfortunately, we have seen the opposite happening for years. We have seen attempts to influence political processes in Russia through the so-called NGOs and directly. | |
“Realising the futility of such efforts, it has never occurred to us to interfere. “ |