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On July 5th, the conference of non-governmental organizations “Human rights in the Russian Federation in the year of its presidency in G8 and in the Council of Europe” took place in Moscow. The conference established a systemic human rights crisis and problems with democratic institutions.  The delegates to the conference adopted a petition to the leaders of G8 nations. (10-JUL-06)
 

On June 23rd, former General Prosecutor Vladimir Ustinov’s who recently was fired from his post was involved in a bizarre shuffle, in which President Putin interchanged Ustinov and Yury Chaika, who had prior been the Minister of Justice. The Upper Chamber of the Russian Parliament took kindly to the appointment of Vladimir Ustinov to the new post, while human rights activists were naturally puzzled. (4-JUL-06)
 

In spite of mass protests and numerous statements of human rights activists, the Russian State Duma, on June 14, adopted a package of “revolutionary” laws for the Russian army in the last third reading. These laws abolish a few draft deferments and curtail the mandatory military service to 12 months from January 1, 2008. Protest actions against the abolition of draft deferments were held all over the country. (23-JUN-06)
 

In the Chechen Republic in the center of Grozny human rights activists discovered a secret prison of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). In a cellar of the building, where a MIA’s operational group was located, detained people were kept in prison, some of them were tortured and killed, – the “Memorial” human rights center reported, on the basis of its own investigation and a proof presented by victim  of that prison Alavdi Sadykov.  The day after the MIA’s group left the place, the secret prison was quickly demolished. Russian and international human rights activists believe that Chechen’s authorities twice curtail the number of kidnapped and disappeared people in the Republic.  (12-JUN-06)
 

The 1 June, on the International Children´s Day many actions for protection children’s rights, life and health were held in the Russian Federation. Children’s theme is utterly important today in the Russian Federation. The regional organization “Right of Child” reports about horrific situation in this sphere, about family crisis and an evident lack of government’s attention to its young citizens. (10-JUN-06)
 

Homophobia has been rapidly increasing in the Russian Federation. Homosexuals fall a prey to violent attacks from politicians, representatives of Orthodox church and members of extremist groups. On May 27th, the International Day for the Struggle against Homophobia, skinheads again disrupted a peaceful gay-action. Deputies have prepared a bill establishing criminal responsibility for ‘propaganda’ of homosexuality. (04-JUN-06)

On May 21st the Russian Federation remembered academic Andrey Sakharov. An illegal “May-day meeting” was organized near Sakharov’s home-museum and public center, declared by human rights activists a national non-governmental Day of Freedom. On this day the internationally known human rights activist would have turned 85 years old; at the same time the Museum and the center named in his honor, celebrated its 10th anniversary. About 500 people participated in the event, among them well-known human rights activists, journalists, lawyers and politicians. (27-MAY-06)
 

The May 12th jubilee conference dedicated to the thirtieth anniversary of the Moscow-Helsinki Group took place in Moscow. The Conference summed up MHG’s activities; current state of human rights in the Russian Federation was also discussed. The conference was held under the slogan “United we can’t be defeated!” (19-MAY-06)

The 8 May, on the Day of Europe, Europeans celebrate victory over fascism. This day was declared the International Day of Antifascists Solidarity under the slogan “NO PASARAN!”  Members of the Youth Human Rights Movement, struggling against fascism, organized symbolic actions of solidarity with antifascists of all countries. According to the latest report of Amnesty International racially-motivated killings, beatings and discrimination are on the increase in the Russian Federation. (14-MAY-06)