Today the human rights watchdog Amnesty International issued an important statement calling upon authorities of the Russian Federation to meet international fair trial standards in the new processes against Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. (link, PDF). The statement notes: “In April 2005, Amnesty International called on the Russian authorities to ensure that Mikhail Khodorkovskii and his associates receive a fair trial which complies with Russia’s obligations under the international human rights treaties to which it is a party. Two and a half years later, the organization is repeating its call, with increased urgency, as no visible steps have been taken to address concerns which were raised by Amnesty International as well as many other human rights organizations and lawyers. Amnesty International will continue to urge the authorities to ensure a fair trial for the two men.”