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The United the Russian Federation party is preparing a project called “Civil service reserve”. The project is aimed at promoting young peopleu and specialists – members of United the Russian Federation – and helping them in climbing the career ladder. Not srprisingly, human rights activists have been criticizing the project. They believe that a Soviet reality, where people who did not join the Communist Party were impeded in their careers, is returning. (09-APR-07)
 

Kremlin is obliging all political parties to give up their right to participate in “Marches of Discontent”. The President’s Administration forces political leaders to sign a special charter, undertaking free-will obligations not to collaborate with so-called extremist politicians and in particularly not to take part in oppositional rallies. (06-APR-07)
 

On March 27th, well-known human rights activists sent an open statement to RF Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin and Chairperson of the President Council for Development of Civil Society Ella Pamfilova. Human rights activists appeal for urgent uniting of forces against violations of civil rights. (29-MAR-07)
 
 

On March 2nd, a well-known Russian reporter Ivan Safronov from “Kommersant” newspaper perished under the obscure circumstances in Moscow. Investigators considered suicide the most likely explanation for Safronov’s death. Journalist’s relatives and colleagues doubt that Safronov could have committed suicide and are going to conduct their own investigation. (13-MAR-07)
 

Gender stereotypes are widespread in Russian society. Although the Russian Federation adopted official policy of equality Russian authorities did not create the conditions that would result in true equality between men and women. (06-MAR-07)
 

Representatives of several leading human rights organizations stated that they wouldn’t take part in a human rights conference, which would be organized by acting president of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov on March, 1st in Grozny. (25-FEB-07) 
 

On Febtuary, 8th a conference “Language of strife and xenophobia. the Russian Federation, XXI century” was held in Moscow. Participants of the conference discussed situation in the Russian society, public policy and mass media, where language of strife and xenophobia are considered as legitimate by many people. Furthermore, party in power has recently launched a project, aimed at popularization of nationalism. (17-FEB-07)
 

Russia’s receives a very low Freedom Rating. According to human rights activists, the year 2006 is characterized by frontal attack on human rights and democracy in the Russian Federation that developed into general revenge of authoritarian-police regime against rights and freedoms earlier declared on paper. However, President Putin rejects accusations of human rights violations. (13-FEB-06)
 

In March fourteen regions of Russian Federation are holding local legislative elections. However, in a several regions two of the opposition liberal parties – Union of Right Forces and Yabloko (Apple) – have been barred from fielding candidates. The leaders of the said parties have already filed a suit against officials’ actions because as they claim the Elections Commission’s rejection is unfounded. Moreover, they believe the party in power has been controlling activities of elections commissions, wishing to liquidate possible rivals in the upcoming elections. (10-FEB-07)