In Russia, the recent Duma elections were neither free nor fair. Independent political parties, such as PARNAS, were denied the right to register. Russian voters deserve a full investigation of electoral fraud and manipulation. And the U.S. urges the Russian government to take action on the recommendations that will be forthcoming from the OSCE electoral observer mission. Human rights protections must also extend to cyber space. “Fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and religion apply as much to a Twitter conversation," said Secretary Clinton, "and a gathering organized by NGOs on Facebook as they do to a demonstration in a public square." That's why the United States urges all OSCE participating States to join consensus on the Declaration on Fundamental Freedoms in the Digital Age. In sum, the countries of the OSCE, from Vancouver to Vladivostok and from Minsk to Tashkent, must never lose sight of the organization's core concept. Respect for human rights and human security is essential to the overall progress and security of a country.