Comment by Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, regarding the CNN’s assessment of the monument to the defenders of the Brest Fortress

The assessment of the monument to the heroes and defenders of the Brest Fortress as "ugly", by CNN journalists, can only be regarded as blasphemous and cynical.

This outrageous step is a negligence for which journalists cannot be forgivenand it is evidence that they are seriously detached from historical reality. This monument is a symbol of the memory of the heroes and defenders of the Brest Fortress, who showed invincible courage and died, but did not give up the fight for the joint Victory over Nazism. It would be wise for CNN journalists to remember that soldiers from our countries fought side by side in that War, which was holy for the Russian people.

We believe that CNN's management should draw serious lessons from this to avoid any repetitions.

7 February 2014