Russia faults Germany over rights remarks

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. The Syrian government has blamed terrorists and foreigners for the violence. Car bombs in Damascus killed at least 40 people Friday as Arab League monitors began their mission to end the violence that has raged since March. Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mukdad said at least 100 people were injured in the suicide-bomb attacks on two security facilities. There were reports of violence in other towns. About 30 to 50 observers, headed by league Assistant Secretary-General Samir Saif al-Yazal, would likely make up an initial monitoring mission and work with the Assad regime to decide where the observers would be deployed, al-Jazeera reported. The observers are in Syria to monitor regime compliance with its pledges to withdraw troops from besieged areas and implement an Arab League peace agreement signed by Syrian officials. The U.N. Security Council is reviewing a new Russian draft resolution amid Russian warnings that U.N. action can lead to a situation like the NATO-led operation in Libya and exacerbate the crisis. With army defections on the rise, however, the United Nations warned the prospects for civil war in Syria are growing. "Will Syria suffer the kind of sectarian bloodbath that has yet to end in Iraq, despite the American pullout?" Glass asked. "The Iraqi government clearly fears a Syrian conflict spilling across its border and is urging caution," Glass said.