The participants urged Russian authorities to honor their citizen’s constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
Demonstrated for the second time
It is the second time Oslo-based human rights activists organize the solidarity action with Russian activist. The first time the demonstration was arranged on 31 October 2010 (picture below).
“Strategy 31” is a spontaneous and broad civil movement in Russian which started its activity on 31 July 2009. On the 31st day of every month with 31 days the movement holds peaceful rallies to demand democracy in the Russian Federation. The purpose of their action is to promote and defend the right to hold peaceful demonstrations.
Movement in the Russian Federation
On 31 January there were also demonstrations in St. Petersburg and Moscow. This time the protesters were treated harshly, dozens of people were arrested in both cities.
“Strategy 31” refers to Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which states that everyone has the right to gather peacefully to hold demonstrations and commemorations. Lack of freedom of assembly has become an important symbol for claims of democracy and respect for human rights in the Russian Federation.
In Moscow the quiet meetings take place on Triumfalnaya Square. The demonstrations usually are orgnised without the permission or only with a limited permit, and participants are routinely arrested.
Arrests of activists
During the last New Year’s Eve, police arrested 68 activists, including one of the founders of the Campaign, Eduard Limonov, and the well known opposition Boris Nemtsov and Ilya Yashin. Everyone had to sit 15 days in jail.
The similar demonstrations to support human rights advocates in Russia are held in many other cities around the world and Russia itself.
Among the initiators of the movement is the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, 
Ludmila Alexeeva (82 years old). Alexeeva was arrested herself on the New Year’s Eve a year ago, and has urged Norwegians to join the campaign by highlighting solidarity actions here in Oslo.
The campaign in Norway is currently supported by the following organizations: Amnesty International Norway, Bellona, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights House Foundation, Norwegian PEN, the Anti-Racism Center, Norwegian Mission to the East, the Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities, FIAN, Norwegian Young Christian Democrats, Young Liberals, Nature and Youth, Rafto Foundation and left wing party “Red”.
Contacts
For more information contact:
Bjørn Enge Land, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, tel. 957 53 350
Patricia Katee, Amnesty International Norway, tel. 45 48 53 74
Ane Bonde, Human Rights House Foundation, tel. 997 43 907
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