Amnesty International UK’s head of policy

WHEN Russia was selected as World Cup host some people were understandably concerned.

When you look at the country’s atrocious human rights record it’s easy to think the same way.

The country is rife with abuses: protests banned, political opponents arrested, gay rights trampled and organisations like Amnesty closed down or harassed.

In Syria, Russian war planes have bombed civilians and played a key role in Bashar al-Assad’s war against his people.

But the World Cup spotlight is a big one and while the Russian authorities have got away with a lot in recent years, their dismal human rights record is now likely to receive extra attention.

All eyes will naturally be on the Russian police. These have a well-earned reputation for brutality – violently crushing peaceful protests.

But if anything happens during the World Cup, the world’s TV cameras will be there to capture it.

England supporters should obviously observe local laws when they’re travelling abroad and fans in Russia need to be on their guard.

Human rights are under regular attack in Russia.

But in hosting the world’s top football event, the Kremlin is going to be under some extra scrutiny.

Media coverage of the World Cup isn’t on its own going to blow the whistle on President Putin’s behaviour, but it can still make a difference.