MOSCOW, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Russia's Foreign Ministry took aim at a German government official's criticism of Russia's human rights record and his call for sanctions against the country.
The ministry was responding Friday to criticism from German Human Rights Commissioner Markus Loening, who also faulted Russia on what he called the country's poor record for democratic government, RIA Novosti reported.
Loening called for EU sanctions against Russian politicians and security and law enforcement officials "responsible for human rights violations."
He asserted Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has been paying lip service to the rule of law for his entire presidency while Prime Minister Vladimir Putin "bears no relation to a genuine democrat."
Alexander Lukashevich, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, disputed Loening's characterizations.
"It is surprising that he has appropriated the right to speak on behalf of the German government and even of all Europeans, calling for direct pressure on Russia -- in effect, for interference in our internal affairs," Lukashevich said.
Loening also labeled last week's EU-Russia summit a "feel-good" event and called on the EU to insist Russia uphold human rights. Failing to do so, he said, diminishes the EU's foreign policy and damages its credibility.
The German human rights commissioner said the German government is discussing possible sanctions against Russian officials for human rights violations, including freezing their bank accounts and denying them EU visas.
