Russian human right advocates to appeal to European Court over US adoption ban

The oldest Russian human rights associatiion, the Moscow Helsinki Group, is going to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights over a recently-passed law, which bans adoption of Russian children by US citizens, Ekho  Moskvy reports.

Lawyer Karina Moskalenko told the news agency that the appeal will be published as soon as the European Court registers the case.

The US adoption ban approved by the Russian Parliament caused active public discussion and drew vehement criticism. Russian opposition forces are going to hold a rally on Sunday to protest against the initiative and demand the parliament's dissolution.

Many outstanding public figures, including famous Soviet film director Eldar Ryazanov and actress Liya Akhedzhakova, have called on Russians to take part in the protest campaign.