MOSCOW, RUSSIA (February 11, 2008) Today, the IDRM Regional Report of Europe was launched in Russia. The event took place at the offices of the United Nations Information Center in Moscow.

The country launch was held by:

• Mr. Roman Zhavoronkov, IDRM Russia researcher, PhD in Law.
• Mr. Alexander Gorelik, Director of the United Nations Information Center in Moscow.
• Mrs. Natalya Malysheva, Executive Secretary of the Coordination Council on Social Strategy of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

• Representatives from State Duma and Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
• Representatives from Russian government and other officials
• Disability and human rights NGOs
• Disability advocacy organisations
• Representatives from international organizations
• Experts and scientists
• Media

The event started with brief opening remarks from Mr. Gorelik. Following the remarks, Mr. Zhavoronkov presented some of the major findings from the European Regional report to the audience. Among its findings, he highlighted that Russia came in 10th out of 14 countries in terms of inclusiveness for people living with disabilities. Russia, while making progress in positive legislative, administrative actions and the work of disability organizations over the past two decades, had a lot more work to do in the areas of ensuring appropriate education, employment opportunities, transport and access to buildings for people with disabilities. The presentation was accompanied by a slideshow depicting the life of the people living with disabilities in Russia and around the world.

Following the presentation, Mrs. Natalya Malysheva, Executive Secretary of the Coordination Council on Social Strategy of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, gave her response to the findings. She called on the government to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, stressing that people with disabilities in Russia require national, regional and international protection. The findings of the IDRM report would help to advance the rights of persons with disabilities in the country.

After the questions and answers section, participants discussed future steps needed for the improvement of disability legislation and practices in Russia and the importance of monitoring from national and international perspectives to accomplish this goal.

Distribution of both hard copies and CDs containing the report concluded the event.