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On 19 June, after four hours of heated debate, the Russian State Duma approved the government-backed bill on alternative military service in a crucial second reading. About 300 amendments – mostly from liberals – have been submitted to the Duma since the bill was passed in the first reading in April. However, the four pro-Kremlin centrist factions that form the Duma majority blocked the passage of most of them. (01-JULY-2002)
 

The Russian State Duma passed an Alternative Military Service draft law proposed by the government. Two alternative drafts proposed by the deputies were rejected. The version of the draft law that was proposed by government  sets the term of service to 4 years (normal military service is 2 years). It also requires that the draftee proves that he should be provided with the right for alternative service. (30-APR-2002)
 

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 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)
 

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)

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)
 

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 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)
 

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)