Moscow contributes 1 million dollars to human rights

MOSCOW, April 28 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has contributed $1 million to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"On April 27, 2006, the Russian Federation transferred $1 million to the account of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights," a ministry news release said.

This amount is one-half of Russia's annual voluntary contribution to the OHCHR and is designed to support UN human rights programs. In December 2005, the Russian government decided to make an annual $2 mln contribution to the OHCHR, beginning in 2006.

"This move highlights the importance that this country attaches to national and international efforts in the human rights sphere, including as part of UN activities," the ministry said.