Russia is deeply affected by numerous violations of human rights, while the existing remedies designed to protect and restore rights are weak and often ineffective. Corruption is a systemic problem and negatively affects the country's economy and governance. Corruption not only undermines democratic institutions, but also destroys – directly and brutally – the mechanisms designed to ensure respect for human rights and the government’s accountability for human rights violations, thus making people vulnerable to the arbitrariness of bureaucrats and law enforcement bodies and to the lack of justice in the judicial system. On the other hand, there is a reverse connection: to combat corruption effectively, Russia must restore fundamental rights and democratic liberties such as freedom of expression and assembly, independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections, and others. [Read more]