Logo of the Novaya Gazeta

There are signs of human rights progress in Russia. Editors of Novaya Gazeta, home to the reporter, Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered three years ago seem to feel confident that the killers are known.

The unsolved Politkovskaya murder has bedeviled the reputation of the Kremlin on human rights issues in recent years. Many have speculated on possible government involvement in the killing. If, in fact, progress is made in locating and prosecuting the actual murderers, Russia's image for civil order will be improved accordingly

In another development, Nashi, the government-backed student group that acts as a kind of youth activism front for the Kremlin leaders, is now coming under open criticism in a potentially consequential way. Once again it is the rule of law that itself is on trial. Crucial to the outcome is the integrity and resolve of the official investigative body, Pamfilova.