The Council of Europe has positively assessed changes...

The Council of Europe has positively assessed changes in Russia's penitentiary system, Deputy Justice Minister Yuri Kalinin said.
Russia's new Procedures Code will take effect on July 1 and reinforce legality and the rights of citizens, Kalinin said. Asked about a reversal of the ban on capital punishment, Kalinin replied that it was a mistake to raise the issue in such a form. Russia has already chosen to join the ranks of civilized countries and must respect human rights.
A life sentence is just as severe a punishment as execution, he said. Russian lawmakers should finalize the ban, he said.
"The important thing is not the severity of punishment, but is inevitability," he said.