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Council of Europe condemned the Russian Federation for mistreatment of prisoners
On April 23 Council of Europe published a report, condemning the Russian Federation for cruel and inhumane treatment of prisoners and inmates of detention centers and police stations. The Russian prison population is nearing 1 million (total population of the Russian Federation is about 144 million). (30-APR-2002)
Police breaks up peaceful anti-nuclear waste imports demonstration in Moscow
Police and Kremlin security officers forcefully broke up a peaceful demonstration against a law that President Putin signed in July. The law allows spent nuclear fuel to be imported for reprocessing. 24 activists and 6 journalists, including cameramen from Reuters and Ekho TV company were detained by police at the demonstration held on red Square on 25 April – the eve of the 16th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. (30-APR-2002)
Legislation on alternative military service
The State Duma plans to discuss the draft law on alternative military service in the Russian Federation. The right to conscientiously object is provided in the Russian Constitution, however there is still no Federal law on Alternative Military service. (09-APR-2002)
Postponed hearing on capital punishment
In August 1999 Boris Yeltsin submitted the so-called Protocol #6 of the European Convention on protection of human rights and liberties for ratification by The State Duma. On ratification the Russian Federation will totally abolish capital punishment. However, on 1 March the Parliament once again postponed the hearing on ratification of the “sixth protocol.” (09-APR-2002)
Supreme court left Sutuagin under arrest
Igor Sutuagin’s appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Sutuagin is a researcher who was arrested and charged with high treason in 1999. (09-APR-2002)
Greenpeace and Amnesty in support of Pasko
Greenpeace the Russian Federation and Amnesty International started an unprecedented joint action in support of journalist Grigori Pasko, who has been accused of espionage. (09-APR-2002)
Release Igor Sutuagin!
Igor Sutuagin, a researcher at the U.S. and Canada Institute in Moscow, was arrested in 1999 and charged with high treason. Write an appeal to the Supreme Court to demand his release. Read more about the case. (01-Jan-2001)
Russia tops prison statistics
In the twentieth century there was no single country in the world where as many citizens have been sent to prison as the Russian Federation. One in every four adult men in the Russian Federation is a former prisoner. The prison population has reached the size of the Stalin´s GULAG. Read more. (01-Jan-2002)