Moscow, July 03, SPA -- The Kremlin eased somerestrictions on Russian NGOs today ahead of a visit by U.S. President Barack Obama, in the first major move to strengthencivil society since President Dmitry Medvedev took office, according to Reuters. The move was applauded by human rights activists, who saidthat the reforms cover only a third of NGOs and a lot moreremains to be done to improve Russia's human rights record. Medvedev, who was elected just over a year ago, proposed inMay relaxing restrictions on non-governmental organisations(NGOs) imposed during the presidency of Prime Minister VladimirPutin, whom rights groups had accused of hindering their work. Obama will meet human rights groups during his July 6-8visit, which is expected to focus the spotlight on Russia'scivil rights environment. "These reforms are an important step as they address someissues, registration being one of the biggest roadblocks forNGOs, so this is a great step that he (Medvedev) has taken,"said Matthew Schaaf, the NGO liaison of the Moscow branch of theNew York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). "But it is limited, it remains to be seen how it will beimplemented." --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/680926