Freedom of Assembly, of Opinion...no Protests
"I think that from the standpoint of social harmony, modernization and political reforms, this is the very worst that could have happened." Russian President Vladimir Putin's human rights adviser, Mikhail Fedotov
Well, at least he has the courage of his convictions to express his opinion. Even though it is abundantly likely that he will no longer be called upon to exercise his up-to-now official capacity of human rights council adviser. Mr. Fedotov's shock at the spectacle of assault-rifle-armed police and masked specialists raiding the homes of protest leaders simply illustrates the dystopian flavour of Russian-style democracy.
Police officers with their assault rifles beat down the doors of an anti-corruption blogger and a popular media celebrity, both critics of Vladimir Putin's continued reign. They're too young themselves to have a personal memory of Stalin's Red Terror Wave but commentators are comparing this kind of 'security sweep' meant to intimidate critics of the Putin regime with that of the 1930s' political repression.
Ten raids in all were conducted, according to the Investigative Committee tasked to probe the May 6 demonstration "that ended in mass disturbances". The "March of Millions" that ended with 20,000 people coming together in a mass protest against the reinstatement for another six years (to begin with) of Vladimir Putin re-taking the presidency, and returning the post of prime minister to Dmitry Medvedev.
Their game of musical chairs happily accepted by rural communities in Russia, not quite so celebrated by more sophisticated urban dwellers who value democratic action. That million-protest march resulted in hundreds of people being arrested, and bloody clashes erupting between protesters and police. An embarrassment of the first order to Mr. Putin on, of all days, his inauguration.
And so, several days earlier President Putin solemnly placed his signature on legislation that will act as a significant deterrent to any and all who wish to continue protesting his democratically lawful re-election to the presidency. Lawful because the musical chairs duo passed a law earlier changing the constitution to enable Mr. Putin to qualify again, dumping the 2-term-limit law and extending terms to six years from four.
Neat stuff, if you can do it. And he can and he did. Just as the newly-signed legislation will exact a year's pay-worth of penalties for any who exhibit the unmitigated gall to draw attention to their anti-Putin-regime sensibilities by engaging in organizing and holding rallies. Raised to 300,000 rubles, the penalty exceeds any other administrative offence.
Moreover, lest those arrested and whose homes were ransacked for evidence of their crimes, where computers, printed material and other incriminating evidence was found, feel they will simply launch additional protests, they have been ordered to appear for questioning just as another march is scheduled to be launched.
"It turns out that in this country, not only are you kept from expressing your free opinion, but you are also not allowed to talk to people who do not suit the state", complained media celebrity Ksenya Sobchak.
Quite so.
Labels: Democracy, Heritage, Human Rights, Political Realities, Russia
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, June 12, 2012
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