A/HRC/11/19* the delegation underscored at least 5 important problems with regard to the background for protection of human rights in the country. 8. Firstly the delegation stressed the question of overcoming Russia’s isolation from the European and world’s legal processes including the fact that for a long time Russia was not a participant in the Hague Conference. The effective integration of Russia in the international legal sphere in view of its specificities and interests of development of its national legal system is taking place. 9. Secondly, Russia has essentially set up and continues to improve its democratic institutions, including judiciary, tax system, public services, governance, parliamentary and election systems, which have been absent or non-functioning before. It was stressed that corruption remains one of the most acute problems. Following the initiative of the President, unprecedented comprehensive measures aimed at improving governance, enhancing judicial and police fight against corruption and ensuring participation of the civil society are being taken to curb it. 10. Thirdly, Russia mentioned the issue of the institutions and situations where realization of human rights can be difficult, including army, penitentiary, medical and psychiatric institutions, police facilities. Pointing out that in the past ten years great progress has been achieved in all these fields, Russia agreed that further measures are necessary and are being taken to provide for their proper functioning. Among them are increased public access, ensuring transparency and control, improving legal base and criminal punishment for violations committed by their personnel. 11. Fourthly, delegation touched upon a block of problems related to country’s multifaceted ethnic, economic and social background, particularly poverty, criminality including cyber crimes, new forms of exploitation of women and children, social passiveness, necessity to reform economy and re-create social infrastructure. Much is being done in this regard, including through international dialogue. It stressed that Russia was one of the first to encounter international terrorism, and the fight against it unfortunately resulted in some negative events and had its impact on migration policy. Reaffirming that human rights violations in combating terrorism should be considered strictly by legal means, Russia confirmed its readiness to co-operate in this sphere. 12. Fifthly, on the issue of freedom of expression it was said that it should be realized bona fide, taking into account balance of public and private interests, traditions and values of society. The delegation stated that in Russia there is no practice of persecution of persons belonging to minorities, with the exception of cases when the court determined criminal or illegal character of activities of concrete public associations. The law on activities of legal persons has democratic and liberal character, yet the work on registration practices of public and religious associations and its reporting should be improved. In regard to mass media there are a huge number of resources, both printed and electronic media, and they are able to work fairly freely. Only 5 % of media outlets belong partly to the State. Concerning the problem of security of journalists in cases of death, violence and repression against them, the delegation noted that in some cases such crimes were committed and were not always related to the professional activities of those persons 13. Russia re-iterated its commitment to the cause of human rights and stated that it will strive to meet the highest requirements in this field, since it aims at innovative and intensive development, involving in it free individuals. 4 GE.09-16259