The Second All-Russian Civil Congress

On December 12 2005 the Second All-Russian Civil Congress took place in Moscow. Advancing the slogan “Russia for democracy, Against Dictatorship” it has brought together leaders of liberal opposition parties and more than 700 representatives of civil and human rights organizations from all over the country. Several questions were discussed during the Congress: resistance to the destruction of civil society in the Russian Federation, elections in 2007-2008 and the creation of a united party of democrats, the threat of nationalism and fascism and the creation of a civil (independent) television network. (20-DEC-2005)

Recognition of the integration of the democratically oriented opposition forces
In her opening address Ludmila Alekseeva (picture), the chairwoman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, reminded everyone that the Congress was scheduled for December 12 – Constitution Day – because the protection of the main principals of the Constitution is always the main task of the opposition. The Congress was aimed at uniting Russian non-governmental forces, who oppose Vladimir Putin’s anti-constitutional policy, in order to protect civil society and to prevent the advance of this totalitarian regime. All the participants were in agreement on recognizing the infringements of civil liberties and the urgent necessity of integration of the democratically oriented opposition forces.

Unification of democratic forces
All leaders of political parties addressing the Congress spoke about the necessity of creating a united democratic party which could win the Duma election in 2007. The ex-prime minister, Mikhail Kasyanov, who has recently become the head of the Democratic Party of the Russian Federation, has criticized the current policy of the authorities which is connected with the prohibition of creating electoral blocs, the abolition of direct elections of governors, the supplanting of private companies by governmental ones and strict limitations on the freedom of speech. According to Mr. Kasyanov the creation of a united democratic party must be finished by the end of next year because it is necessary to prepare for the Parliamentary elections in 2007.

Both the leader of the Union of Right Forces Nikita Belykh and the chairman of the Republican Party Vladimir Ryzhkov (picture) have recommended accomplishing the process of unification of democratic forces by next autumn. Even Grigoriy Yavlivsky, who always plays the part of the skeptic, has declared that “Yabloko is ready and willing to do everything possible for further political self-organization and integration”.

The co-chairman of the Congress, president of the INDEM Fund, Georgi Satarov has announced that if the politicians don’t unite their efforts, civil and human rights organizations will take it into their own hands. The concluding remark of Mr. Satarov that “the policy of backstairs bargaining with the Kremlin has exhausted all its resources” was met with applause. Irina Hakamada (“Our Choice” Party) has stated that the integration of the democrats will be successful and very promising if its participants put an end to communications with the Kremlin. In her opinion presidential elections in 2008 should become the perspective target of the integration and she calls to support the candidature of Mikhail Kasyanov.

The Civil Congress has also discussed such important items as:

• the menace of nationalism and fascism in Russia;
• the creation of a civil television network;
• elections in the Russian Federation: the strategy and the tactics of civil society;
• the problems of further activities of the Civil Congress.

The Civil Congress has adopted the following conclusive documents, which were presented to the participants as a platform for ntegration:

• The protection of democratic institutions, including the freedom of speech, parliamentarism, the independence of the judiciary system and civil control over the bureaucracy;
  
• The protection of democracy, including the right to referendum, and the objection to election falsifications;
  
• The protection of federalism and local government, first of all, the reestablishment of direct elections of the governors;
  
• The struggle against the militarization of the state and society, by supporting the abolition of obligatory conscription, and the creation of the professional army;
  
• The struggle against corruption and administrative racket; and for the security of private property, fair competitive markets and private enterprise;
  
• Overcoming the demographic crisis, guaranteeing ecological security, diminishing the level of alcoholism and drug addiction, and encouraging the simplification of the immigration process.

The main result of the Congress has been the creation of a special resolution called: “Civil Society and the Elections of 2007 and 2008”, which stresses that civil organizations are ready to do their best to create a united civil opposition and win the elections. The Congress also decided to establish regional structures all over the country.

Commenting on the result of the Congress, Liubov Vinogradova (picture), director of the Russian Research Center for Human Rights, said that although human rights defenders are usually out of policy and don’t struggle for state power, we can’t stand aside now, because authoritarian regimes deprive people of their right to association and restrict our activities with narrow limits. The situation forces us to cooperate with political parties more closely than ever before and support those which respect democratic values. It’s a crucial time in Russian history and we must take the unique opportunity which has been given to us by the Congress to join forces in turning the Russian Federation back to a democratic way of development.