At a glance-
«Жесткое подавление свободы слова в России в 2012-2018 гг.»
PEN International 10 October 2018
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Russia's Strident Stifling of Free Speech 2012-2018
Laws passed since Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency in May 2012 have dramatically strengthened the Russian authorities’ control over the flow of information online and offline. Much of this crackdown has been fuelled by Russia’s foreign policy, in particular its role in the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine and its armed intervention in Syria.
PEN International 10 October 2018
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Freedom on the Net 2017: Russia
LinkedIn became the first international social media platform to be banned in Russia for failing to comply with data localization requirements
Freedom House 16 November 2017
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Online and On All Fronts: Russia's Assault on Freedom of Expression
Since 2012, the Russian authorities have intensified a crackdown on freedom of expression, selectively casting certain kinds of criticism of the government as threats to state security and public stability and introducing significant restrictions to online expression and invasive surveillance of online activity.
Human Rights Watch 18 July 2017
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Freedom of the Press 2017: Russia
Throughout the year there were reports of attacks, threats, censorship, arrests, and prison sentences against both journalists and ordinary citizens who had posted or shared politically sensitive information online.
Freedom House 27 April 2017
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Freedom of the Press 2016: Russia
At least three internet users received significant prison sentences for posting “extremist” content related to Ukraine on social media.
Freedom House 23 April 2016
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Freedom on the Net 2015: Russia
Vague amendments to criminal code could criminalize financing of NGOs and independent media outlets
Freedom House 31 October 2015
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Freedom of the Press 2015: Russia
Ranked 180th in annual global media freedom report
Freedom House 1 May 2015
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Freedom in the World 2014: Russia
Websites featuring anti-Putin articles blocked
Freedom House 1 May 2014
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Freedom of the Press 2014: Russia
Ranked 176th in annual global media freedom report
Freedom House 1 May 2014
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Enemies of the Internet 2014: Russia
"Control from the top down"
Reporters Without Borders 12 March 2014
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Attacks on the Press in 2013: Russia
"Authorities cracked down on free expression in run-up to Winter Olympics"
Committee to Protect Journalists 11 February 2014
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Scores detained in Russia before Olympic ceremony
The Russian authorities detained at least 61 people in different cities across the country for holding unauthorized protests ahead of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi on 7 February 2014.
The New York Times 7 February 2014
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UN Secretary-General condemns attacks on homosexuals in Sochi speech
Ban-Ki Moon spoke out against the climate of discrimination and intimidation in Russia
CTV News 6 February 2014
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Sochi 2014: world authors join protest against Putin
Over 200 international authors, including Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, sign IFEX member PEN International’s letter denouncing Russia’s “chokehold” on free expression
The Guardian 6 February 2014
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World Press Freedom Index 2014: Russia
Ranked 148th in annual press freedom index
Reporters Without Borders 1 February 2014
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World Report 2014: Russia
Parliament unanimously adopts law banning promotion of “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships”
Human Rights Watch 22 January 2014
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More draconian legislation - How far will the Duma go?
A new bill provides for the immediate blocking of websites with content regarded by the prosecutor’s office as extremist. Inciting hatred or terrorist acts are already grounds for blocking. Now, urging people to participate in unauthorized protests would also be viewed as "extremist."
Reporters Without Borders 20 December 2013
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Russia: Experts Dispute Case Against Protesters
Charges against dozens of protesters in connection with the protest on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s 2012 inauguration are "inappropriate" and "disproportionate," according to a panel of independent experts. Twenty seven people are facing "mass rioting" charges in connection with the protest on May 6, 2012.
Human Rights Watch 18 December 2013
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The Russian Federation: Journalists under attack
New investigations are needed into cases of violence against journalists and those at risk need immediate protection, according to a new ARTICLE 19 report.
ARTICLE 19 12 December 2013
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Violence 'the easiest way' to deal with journalists in Russia
Russia is the sixth deadliest country in the world for journalists in the last 16 years. Moreover, as impunity for attacks on journalists in Russia remains the general rule and the vast majority of cases remain unsolved, the true tally could be even higher.
International Press Institute 23 November 2013
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Russia: Harsh Toll of ‘Foreign Agents’ Law
Russian authorities are using a new law that requires some nongovernmental organizations to register as “foreign agents” to curtail a broad range of work by independent organizations.
Human Rights Watch 26 June 2013
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Russian Model Gains as Press Freedom Declines
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has emerged as a laboratory for the development of methods to suppress media freedom in the post-totalitarian era.
Freedom House 3 May 2013
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Russia: Draft Amendment to the Criminal Code Aimed at Countering Insult of Religious Beliefs and Feelings of Citizens, Desecration of Religious Objects and Subjects of Worship (Pilgrimage) and Sites of Religious Ceremonies
ARTICLE 19 calls on the State Duma of the Russian Federation to reject the concept of defamation of religions proposed in the Draft Law.
ARTICLE 19 30 April 2013
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Laws of Attrition: Crackdown on Russia’s Civil Society after Putin’s Return to the Presidency
The report analyzes new laws in Russia, including the so-called “foreign agents” law, the treason law, and the assembly law, and documents how they have been used.
Human Rights Watch 24 April 2013
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Russia at the UPR: Repeal oppressive laws restricting the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association
ARTICLE 19 11 April 2013
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Freedom of the Press 2013: Russia
Ranked 176th in annual global media freedom report
Freedom House 1 March 2013
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Freedom in the World 2013: Russia
"Vague laws on extremism make it possible to crack down on any speech, organisation, or activity that lacks official support"
Freedom House 16 January 2013
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Attacks on the Press in 2011: Russia
As tens of thousands protest election, journalists are detained
Committee to Protect Journalists 22 February 2012
13 June 2012
Thousands call for Putin's resignation amid raids, free assembly crackdown
Masked security officials carried boxes from the home of opposition activist Alexei Navalny on 11 June 2012
REUTERS/Mikhail Voskresenskiy
The protest came after police raided the homes of several prominent activists and after Putin approved legislation increasing fines for those who violate protest laws, report IFEX members.
Putin won a third presidential term in March amid protests over alleged fraud in December's parliamentary vote. The "March of Millions" this week was the first big anti-government rally in Russia since Putin's re-election.
The fines under the new law are substantial: 300,000 Rubles (about US$9,000) - up from 1,000 Rubles (US$60) for anyone participating in an unsanctioned rally, and 1 million Rubles for institutions.
The problem, say ARTICLE 19 and Human Rights Watch, is that many of the charges are vague. It's not known, for example, if walking on the grass or littering would lead to excessive fines under the new law, which makes gatherings of people in one place who cause damage to city property an offence.
Human Rights Watch says the new law "seriously undermines free assembly in Russia."
Plus, the changes were rushed through, despite nearly unanimous condemnation from all sectors of civil society.
"President Putin has not followed the recommendations of his own Council for Human Rights and has hastily signed this law into force, turning the screws on those wanting to peacefully express their discontent or opposition," says ARTICLE 19.
Freedom House fears the law "will have a chilling effect on citizen participation in important public policy debates and Russia's democratic processes."
Shortly before the rally, independent media websites, such as Ekho Moskvy radio, went down, reports the International Press Institute (IPI). News agencies reported difficulty reaching the websites of Rain TV and the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper.
But the websites of Kremlin-allied newspapers and state-controlled television stations remained accessible all day, reports IPI, noting the web attacks "appear to be a direct violation of the right of Russia's people to be informed."
Those targeted by police raids on Monday included blogger Alexei Navalny and other leading opposition activists, Ilya Yashin and Sergei Udaltsov, report ARTICLE 19 and Human Rights Watch.
The police said they were searching for evidence linking opposition leaders with riots in Moscow in May, on the eve of Putin's inauguration, says ARTICLE 19. Back then, hundreds were arrested. Russia's Investigative Committee said police "intend to conduct 10 searches in all" on 11 June, say news reports.
Navalny described the police raid as "awesome" in a message on Twitter, saying "they almost carved up the door (this is actually true)."
According to the BBC, he said police removed computer disks containing photos of his children, along with clothes, including a sweatshirt with an opposition slogan.
Police also searched the home of Kseniya Sobchak - a well-known TV presenter and daughter of Putin's late mentor and St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak, reports ARTICLE 19. Sobchak joined the protest movement after the allegedly rigged parliamentary elections in December 2010.
"People barged in at 8am, gave me no chance to get dressed, robbed the apartment, humiliated me," Sobchak said in a Twitter post. "I never thought we would return to such repression in this country."
The searches also triggered a wave of protest from Russian bloggers, who compared the actions to those of Stalin's secret police in the 1930s. According to the BBC, "Hello 1937" was the top Russian-language Twitter trend throughout the day on 11 June.
Federal investigators summoned the opposition leaders to appear for questioning just one hour before the scheduled start of the rally.
Opposition leaders believe the searches and new law, designed to stop them personally from participating in the protest, will actually have the opposite effect - they will galvanise supporters to join the anti-Putin cause.
"It's obvious they are as frightened of us as they are of fire," opposition leader Boris Nemtsov told the rally, reports the BBC. "They are scared of the people's protest."
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says Putin's regime has also contributed to censorship and repression internationally.
Protesting during the Russian President's recent visit to France, RSF said, "On the pretext of combating terrorism or promoting 'traditional values,' Russia plays a leading role in efforts to suppress freedom of expression and information in many international bodies. It is with Moscow's complicity that the massacres have continued in Syria for more than 14 months and it is with Moscow's support that the crackdown continues in Iran."
Sources
on the web
Russia: The 'March of Millions' (Human Rights Watch)
Russia: Reject Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly (Human Rights Watch)
Russia: Politically motivated searches follow new law restricting freedom of assembly (ARTICLE 19)
Russia protests: Putin opponents march in Moscow (BBC)
Russian police search opposition leaders' homes (BBC)
Also from the Communiqué, 13 June 2012
UKRAINE: IFEX members shine light on dirty rights record of Euro 2012 hosts 13 June 2012 SYRIA: Citizen journalists bear human cost of uprising 13 June 2012 UGANDA: Police apologise for attacks on media, promise reforms 13 June 2012 EL SALVADOR: IFEX members welcome rare conviction in journalist murder case 13 June 2012 INTERNATIONAL / AWARDS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES: Apply now for Cyber Stewards Programme 13 June 2012
- Most covered free expression issues in this country
More from Russia
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«Жесткое подавление свободы слова в России в 2012-2018 гг.»
-
Russia's Strident Stifling of Free Speech 2012-2018
Laws passed since Vladimir Putin's return to the presidency in May 2012 have dramatically strengthened the Russian authorities’ control over the flow of information online and offline. Much of this crackdown has been fuelled by Russia’s foreign policy, in particular its role in the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine and its armed intervention in Syria.
-
Freedom on the Net 2017: Russia
LinkedIn became the first international social media platform to be banned in Russia for failing to comply with data localization requirements
At this point, would publish: "Home page"
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