With the Russian president Vladimir Putin making a historic state visit to Britain this week, the first since the time of the Tsars, our government has a golden opportunity to influence Russia, especially in terms of its human rights record.

Unfortunately, human rights abuses continue in post-Soviet Russia - particularly in Chechnya, where armed groups commit bombing outrages and Russian security forces abduct and torture people with virtual impunity.

The spiral of violence shows no sign of ending and influential governments such as ours need to tell Mr Putin that peace in Chechnya and wider Russia depend as much on human rights as they do on security considerations.

One concrete move would be to open up Chechnya to international observers - this should be put to Mr Putin as we welcome him to Britain.

This state visit should not be seen as too grand for a few home truths.

As part of the Brighton and Hove Amnesty Group's campaign to raise awareness about human rights abuses in Russia, we are holding a Russian Evening on Friday, July 4, from 7pm at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, in conjunction with First Friday@Friends.

The evening will include speakers, free food and drink and letter writing. Everyone is welcome to attend.

For more information, call 01273 697416 or email: mishalaptop@hotmail.com

-Dave Clark, Brighton and Hove Amnesty Group, Belgrave Place, Brighton