How Russians view their human rights situation
From 19-23 October 2007 the Levada Centre carried out a public survey among adult members of the Russian Federation, asking 1,600 people in total. The following reports the information which the Levada Centre itself presents on its site, giving a comparison to the results of previous surveys where relevant. The margin of error does not exceed 3%.
Do you think that human rights are violated in Russia at present?
| Definitely / Probably, yes | 72 |
| Probably / Definitely not | 16 |
| I don’t know | 12 |
Do you think that human rights abuses in Russia over recent years have become more widespread, less, or there’s been no change?
| more | 24 |
| less | 24 |
| Nothing’s changed | 37 |
| I don’t know | 15 |
Do you think that in Russia at the present time there are political prisoners (people convicted for their political views or their wish to take part in political life?
|
| May 2004 | June 2005 | March 2007 | October 2007 |
| Definitely / Probably, yes | 51 | 49 | 44 | 40 |
| Probably / Definitely not | 29 | 29 | 27 | 30 |
| I don’t know | 20 | 22 | 29 | 30 |
Do you think that torture is used at present in Russia to beat confessions out of people suspected of having committed a crime?
| Definitely / Probably, yes | 59 |
| Probably / Definitely not | 18 |
| I don’t know | 23 |
Do you think the use of torture to beat confessions out of people suspected of having committed a crime is justified?
| Definitely / Probably, yes | 11 |
| Probably / Definitely not | 72 |
| I don’t know | 17 |