U.N. says Russian efforts on human rights fall short

The U.N. human rights chief said Thursday that attempts by President Dmitry Medvedev to improve civil society in Russia had been unsuccessful, and urged the country to improve its rights record. “His efforts are appreciated but not advanced sufficiently to be described as a success,” U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told reporters toward the end of her five-day visit to Russia.