The presentation from this event: http://www.lse.ac.uk/humanRights/events/2015/Russia.aspx Defending Human Rights in Russia Page Contents > Speakers: Further resources: Wednesday 21 January 2015 Speakers: Dmitri Makarov, Dr Mary McAuley, Roman Udot Chair: Margo Picken Twitter hashtag: #LSERussia An unprecedented number of laws have been adopted in Russia over the past two years which dramatically restrict the activities of all independent non-governmental organisations, and particularly those working for civil and political rights. The new laws, such as the "foreign agents" law, threaten not only the organisations but also endanger their staff, members and supporters. The law on treason can lead to ten or more years of imprisonment for the vaguest of reasons, such as simply sharing information with non-Russian organisations and outsiders. Our panel of human rights advocates and experts provided a first-hand insight into the difficulties of working under such conditions, and discussed what can be done to stop the further erosion of human rights in Russia.

1. GOLOS means “vote”

2. Scotland’s Referendum

3. “Election Fraud in Scotland”

4. Elections à la russe
Click to view a video clip on ballot box stuffing

5. He was an electoral observer in Russia

6. Here Comes
GOLOS
• Founded in 2000
• 8 national wide campaign observed
• About 25000 observers trained
• 40 branches in key regions of the Russian Federation
(before the crackdown)

7. Being at the Centre

8. The Map of Violations

9. Freedom of Speech

10. Striking coincidence

11. Striking coincidence

12. … and resemblance

13. The authorities were right
• Dec 2nd 2011, the case against GOLOS’s Map
of Violations
• Dec 4th 2011, the Parliamentary Elections
• Dec 5th 2011, the first rally in Moscow for fair
elections
• Series of rallies, marches etc. for fair elections
(the biggest public protests since the fall of
the Soviet Union, BBC)

14. The Crackdown
• the 6th of May
2014

15. Empire strikes back
• 13.07.12 – the amendments approved
• Nov 2012 – the law came into force
• April 2013 – Association GOLOS fined
• Summer 2013 – Association is suspended
• Sept 2013 – Central branch (RG) suspended
• Sept 8th 2013 – elections are observed as
Movement
• Movement observes all year round
• March 16th 2014 – Crimean referendum

16. The Crimean “referendum”

17. Electoral problems of the Kremlin
• Levada data

18. The Crackdown (continuted)
• Summer 2014 – expulsion of GOLOS’
representatives (foreign agents)
• Sept 14th 2014 - United Election Day, mass
falsifications, mass expulsion from PEC
• Dec 2014 – amendment against foreign agents
on PECs.
• Jan 2014 – bill on undesired entities

19. To be continued?