Russian human rights condemned

The Russian human rights commissioner, Oleg Mironov, has said that no progress was made last year in improving Russia's human rights record.

In a report, Mr Mironov said people felt helpless when the police, prosecutors and courts combined against them.

He accused the police of beating people and of frequently manipulating the courts.

He also said human rights were violaged as a result of social deprivation.

The commissioner was referring to increases of more than 35% in rail fares and energy prices and the practice of cutting off heat and electricity supplies in regions where authorities run up debt arrears.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service