Latest
Kursk families do not receive donations
Donations received on special relieve accounts were not distributed among Kursk families. The Mother’s Right Foundation has filed a complaint to Reutov (Moscow Region) town Magistrate about the special Commission of the North Fleet. (30-JULY-02)
Breakdown of the Chechen Republic peace talks
Human rights centre “Memorial” and Moscow Helsinki Group announced at a press conference that negotiation platform on the Chechen Republic has collapsed. The platform was set up at a Civil Forum as a regular meetings of NGOs (both Moscow and Chechen), prosecutors, FSB, the United military commanders, Chechen authorities and special human rights envoy in the Chechen Republic. (30-JULY-02)
Alternative service bill
With the crucial second reading on alternative Service scheduled for 14 June in the State Duma, human rights activists warned at the press conference on 29 May that the bill might be passed that makes alternative service not very different from military service. Several amendments give reasons for concern. (03-JULY-2002)
Alternative punishment
Judges in the Russian Federation have begun sentencing petty offenders to community service as an alternative to prison in a pilot project aimed at exploring ways to relieve overcrowding in the country’s dilapidated prison system. (3-JULY-2002)
Bush on democracy and war in Chechnya
During his visit to Moscow George Bush made an important public speech. He stopped at the issue of the Chechen Republic, which is sensitive for the Russian Federation, by drawing parallels with operations in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (03-JULY-02)
The bill on alternative service is turned into the law on alternative slavery
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)
Alternative Military Service law passed by the Russian State Duma
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)
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)