Ugra-news.ru, by Yugeny Zinoviyev, June 20, 2013

Vladimir Lukin

Vladimir Lukin, Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, is ready to restore his membership in the YABLOKO party, if he decides to return to politics. Ombudsman made such a statement at a press conference in Khanty-Mansiysk on June 19.

In March 2014, Vladimir Lukin will complete his second five-year term on the post of Commissioner for Human Rights, which means that he will have to leave the office.

– I’ll do it with some nostalgia, but also with a relief, because the work is very difficult, said Vladimir Lukin.

Vladimir Lukin has been Russia’s Ombudsman since 2004. On taking up the post one of the founders of the YABLOKO party had to suspend his membership in YABLOKO, because the law does not allow Ombudsman to engage in politics. However, Vladimir Lukin does not rule out that he may return to the party.

– I certainly do not change my views depending on the changes in my employment. I have never done this and will never do this, he said. – But I can not tell you what will be in March, because it depends on what I’ll do. And, frankly speaking, I have not thought much about this yet. If I focuse on politics, then I will certainly restore my membership in YABLOKO.

Vladimir Lukin visited Khanty-Mansiysk in connection with the conducting of workshops for Russian human rights commissioners. The main issue of the event was protection of the rights of indigenous minorities.