No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest Article 9, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

RUSSIA: Freedom under Threat

Freedoms are under threat in Russia, even though they are guaranteed by the constitution. Rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly have been attacked increasingly since Vladimir Putin returned to office as President of the Russian Federation in March 2012. Being out and loud and proud can land you in prison. In late June, St. Petersburg police broke up a lawful gathering of people interested in lesbian, gays, bisexual, transgendered and intersex rights. Anti-gay protestors and police assaulted them. On June 30, Russia passed a law banning "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations". It's getting harder to protest in Russia. Complicated approval procedures make it difficult to organize events and restrict the right to freedom of assembly. Many protests have been arbitrarily banned or dispersed. Defamation was re-criminalized on June 30th, and new laws on treason and blasphemy were passed. Singing a protest song in a cathedral can lead to two years in prison--exactly what happened to Pussy Riot. It is more difficult than ever to operate a non-governmental organization. Russian groups that receive funding from outside the country must describe themselves as "foreign agents" if they engage in looselydefined political activity. Freedom of association is under attack as officials conduct inspections of organizations offices, impose heavy fines and suspend activities of at least one group. Many fear they will be shut down. The Winter Olympic Games are being held in Sochi, Russia from February 7-23, 2014. The Olympic flame can throw light on the human rights violations that Russia authorities would prefer to hide behind the celebrations.

Russian riot police scuffle with protestors in Moscow who oppose government policies. Reuters/Denis Sinyakov

Activate your pens and your keyboards! Please write a letter to President Putin c/o the embassy in Ottawa. Start with Dear President Putin. Describe who you are and what concerns you about the increasing number of attacks on civil society and on the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association. Ask him to get rid of laws that (choose two or three) Re-criminalize libel, Restrict public protests, Broaden the legal definition of treason and espionage to target opponents, Oblige NGOs to register as foreign agents, Make propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors an offence, Criminalize the act of insulting the religious feelings of believers. Tell President Putin that you expect him to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly in Russia.

Send your letter to:

President Vladimir Putin c/o His Excellency Georgiy Mamedov Embassy of the Russian Federation 285 Charlotte Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8L5 Postage: $.63 Fax: (613) 236-6342 info@rusembassy.ca

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