On the court judgment on Vladimir Timakov libel case

Statement by the Chairman of the Tula YABLOKO, November 30, 2010

Yesterday night Tula Court passed a judgment which proclaimed deputy of the Tula City Duma from the YABLOKO party journalist Vladimir Timakov guilty of libel against Governor of the Tula region. Such a judgment on Timakov was made as he had laid the blame for the growth of corruption in the Tula region on Governor Dudka as the top official of the region. Timakov had explained his opinion by growth of corruption cases against top regional and municipal officials.

The court of the first instance had already obliged Vladimir Timakov to pay to the Governor RUR 1.5 million (approx. USD 500,000) as a compensation of moral damage. Unfortunately yesterday’s decision of the judge did not come as a surprise. The Tula regional branch of YABLOKO considers the guilty verdict [against Timakov] as another confirmation that independent judicial system is lacking in Russia and in the Tula region in particular...

On the death of poet Bella Akhmadullina

Condolences, November 30, 2010

The death of Bella Akhmadullina is a grave event not only in our literature, but also in our public life. Having a pure and unique voice inherent in a real poet she was one the persons who could be called the conscience of the nation, notwithstanding her elitism and individualism. The feeling of freedom distinguished her lyrics, as well as made her flawless in the civil sense.

We share the grief of the family and friends of Bella Akhmadullina.

Sincerely,
Sergei Mitrokhin,
Chair of the YABLOKO party

YABLOKO to propose amendments to the draft law “On Education”

Press Release, November 29, 2010

Alexander Gnezdilov, YABLOKO’s representative in the Youth Chamber with the Moscow City Duma, will introduce 11 amendments to the draft law “On Education” which will be examined by the Chamber on Tuesday, November 30. Alexander Shishlov, member of YABLOKO’s Bureau and head of the State Duma Education Committee in 2002 – 2003, and Eugeny Bunimovich, deputy head of the Moscow YABLOKO, an honoured teacher of Russia and Ombudsman for Children’s Rights in Moscow, participated in the development of these amendments...

Election results show that Moldova is moving towards the West - Watson
Press Release, ALDE, November 29, 2010

Europe-leaning parties have come close to breaking the political deadlock that has crippled Moldova for the past two years. In yesterday's snap parliamentary elections (28 November), some 50% of Moldovans voted in favour of a coalition of centre-right parties, outpacing the Communist Party which only achieved some 40% of votes.ALDE MEP Graham Watson (UK, LD), rapporteur for the European Parliament on Moldova, commented:

"The results show that a growing majority of Moldovans is in favour of a pro-European liberal political course. "However, it is disappointing that the liberal democratic alliance parties appear to fall four seats short of the required 61 parliamentary votes necessary to elect a new president - although this may change as the votes cast abroad are counted. ""All parties should now look for ways to end the political crisis and give the country the leadership it deserves"...

YABLOKO conducted an action against violence against women

Press Release, November 25, 2010 - A video added

YABLOKO’s leader made a speech at the doctors’ congress

Press Release, November 26, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin made a speech at the Pirogov Doctors’ Congress which is taking place in Moscow today. In the beginning of his speech Sergei Mitrokhin expressed his indignation that officials from the Ministry of Healthcare neglected this representative doctors’ meeting. “It seems to me that this is the most eloquent testimony that the management of our healthcare system is unprofessional,” Mitrokhin said.

Sergei Mitrokhin also reiterated that the YABLOKO party had already begun active cooperation with the Russian Medical Association (RMA) headed by Dr.Ashot Sarkisyan...

YABLOKO conducted an action against violence against women

Press Release, November 25, 2010

On November 25, an action against violence against women took place in the Pushkin Square, Moscow. The action is held in the UN decade The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This an annual action held under the auspices of the United Nations...
The action was held under the slogans “Husbands, do not beat your wives!”, “No to family violence!”, “Women, raise your heads!” According to the participants of the action, 14,000 women die annually due to family violence. These figures commensurate with Russia’s losses for the ten years of war in Afghanistan...

YABLOKO participates in a rally in defence of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev

Press Release, November 26, 2010

A rally in defence of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev took place in Tomsk last Friday, November 20. The Tomsk branch of the YABLOKO party participated in the rally.

Over 100 people, including YABLOKO’s activists, participated in the rally. YABLOKO’s activists spread the statements by YABLOKO’s Political Council calling the present political regime authoritarian and suppressing the rights of every Russian citizen.

LI President talks to UK Deputy Prime Minister Clegg

Liberal International News Bulletin. Issue 210. November 25, 2010.

In the framework of a conference on coalition politics co-organised by the Liberal Democrats and ELDR, LI President Hans van Baalen MEP has met and discussed with UK Deputy Prime Minister and LibDem Leader Nick Clegg. At the Conference LI President spoke of the Dutch experience saying that coalition building and maintenance requires clear management of daily politics, ambitions and perceptions: “It is not a love affair; it is a marriage of convenience which asks for a business-like approach and group discipline. The coalition manifesto should be realized on the basis of trust. Both parties should be able to benefit and work on their profiles. It is a give and take relationship...

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¦LI President statement on Burundi
¦FNF receives award from LiD in Barcelona
¦ALDE reacts on tensions between two Koreas
¦Call for registrations for the Central Asia Conference
¦4th Biennial CALD-ALDE Meeting; “Reinvigorating the Global Economy”
¦HSLS Congress in Zagreb
¦SILC seminar in Zimbabwe - online only
¦Network of Arab Liberals hold General Assembly - online only

Sergei Mitrokhin: YABLOKO’s union with the greens is strategic

A short version of Sergei Mitrokhin's speech at the 3rd Conference of the Green Russia faction, November 23, 2010. (Part 2)

Verhofstadt: Europe is addressing the symptoms instead of the causes of the crisis in the eurozone
Press Release, ALDE, November 24, 2010

"The eurozone is going through turbulent times but Ireland is not the problem. Nor is Greece or Portugal. Of course these countries have a problem of credibility affecting their banks, their budget, or their trade balance. But elsewhere in the world there are also similar problems such as Japan (200%), the US or the UK but they have a credible economic governance and an image of unity," said Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament during today's debate in Strasbourg...

Sergei Mitrokhin: YABLOKO’s union with the greens is strategic

A short version of Sergei Mitrokhin's speech at the 3rd Conference of the Green Russia faction, November 23, 2010. Part 1

I believe that the union we concluded long ago between YABLOKO and Green Russia is very important. I was an active advocate of such a union. Together we have created virtually the only political organisation in the country which has been engaged in comprehensive solution of environmental problems. No one in this country, except us, has ever raised the issues of environmental policy as such, and this is a tragedy of our country. And the worst here is that the government does not deal with these problems either. The system of environmental protection has been destroyed in several months after Putin came to power, and you were the political force which strongly opposed this. The first steps we have done separately, but then we joined our efforts protesting against the policy which was carried out then, or rather, a rejection of any policy in this field...

An action against violence against women to take place in Moscow

Press Release, November 24, 2010

Tomorrow, on November 25, an action against violence against women will take place in the Pushkin Square, Moscow. The action is held in the UN decade The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. This an annual action held under the auspices of the United Nations.

Activists from YABLOKO’s Gender faction and its leader Galina Mikhalyova, the Council for Consolidation of Women’s Movement, representatives from the Feministki.ru initiative group and other people who feel they can not stay indifferent to the problem will participate in the action...

A discussion club to open in YABLOKO

Press Release, November 23, 2010

A youth discussion club will open in YABLOKO on Friday, November 26, at 7 p.m.

At the first meeting of the club the activists will discuss the strategies of housing construction and YABLOKO’s programme “Houses. Land. Roads”.

Address: ul. Lyudogoscha 3, office 34.

North Korea must refrain from escalating tensions in the region
Press Release, ALDE, November 23, 2010

Jelko Kacin MEP (LDS/Slovenia), member of the Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula, has responded to the exchange of fire between the two Koreas, strongly condemning the provocations from the North just a few hours after the confirmation of the existence of new additional uranium enrichment facilities. "It is unbelievable that the regime would once again use an armed conflict to facilitate the transition of power to the new generation of the Kim dynasty," he said. "The North needs to establish a firm civilian control over the army, which is trying to tighten the grip on its impoverished population. It is time to move past cold war thinking in both Koreas."

Mr Kacin, who visited South Korea in June and authored the European Parliament resolution of 17 June 2010 on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, urged both sides to refrain from escalating the tensions...

A roundtable discussion on the pension system to be held in YABLOKO

Press Release, November 22, 2010

A roundtable discussion on the pension system will be held in the YABLOKO office at Pyatnistskaya street in Moscow on
Thursday, November 25, at 6 p.m...

YABLOKO leaves the rally protesting against participation of nationalists

Press Release, November 21, 2010

The YABLOKO party left the rally against arbitrary rule during trails against journalists and human rights activists protesting against participation in the rally of the ultra-right Russkiy Obraz (The Russian Image) organisation that came to the rally bearing their flags. YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to the representative of nationalists a compromise – to participate in the rally without their nationalistic symbols but the latter refused. After this YABLOKO including activists from the Tula branch of YABLOKO, the Moscow YABLOKO and Sergei Mitrokhin, left the Pushkin Square.

The activists of the Tula branch of YABLOKO specially came to Moscow so that to tell about criminal persecutions against Vladimir Timakov, deputy of the Tula Regional Duma (regional parliament) from the YABLOKO faction , for alleged “libel” against Governor of the Tula Region Vuacheslav Dudka. In accordance with Article 129 of the Criminal Code Timakov faces three years of imprisonment for his criticism of the Governor...

Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to begin introduction of a visa-free regime between Russia and EU from Russia’s exclave - the Kaliningrad region

Press Release, November 20, 2010

Chair of the YABLOKO party Sergei Mitrokhin and leader of YABLOKO’s Pensioners of Russia faction Alexei Borschenko visited the conference of the Kaliningrad branch of YABLOKO. The conference discussed the regional list for elections to the regional parliament (regional Duma), that will take place in March 2011. In his speech at the conference Mitrokhin told about the activities of the party targeted at solving the problems of the residents of the Kaliningrad region. According to Mitrokhin, one of the key directions here would be introduction a visa-free regime with the EU member countries...

Yabloko condemns attack on Russian journalist

Liberal International News Bulletin. Issue 209. November 18, 2010.
After Russian journalist for the Kommersant newspaper, Oleg Kashin was severely beaten outside his home in Moscow on 6 November, LI full member YABLOKO has issued a press statement condemning the attacks and demanding that authorities launch investigations into the attack: “The YABLOKO party states that it is ready to participate in an independent investigation of the circumstances of this crime and render all possible assistance as well as human and organizational resources to Editor-in-Chief Mikhail Mikhailin and the team of the Kommersant paper.” YABLOKO leaders also picketed outside the Moscow Interior Office with other journalists and political activists to demand investigative action. Mr. Kashin's editor said that the attacks were retribution for articles he had recently written covering anti-Kremlin protests and extremist rallies against the building of a highway through Khimki forest outside Moscow which has now been put on hold by the government. Attacks on journalists are not uncommon in Russia. Human rights groups say there have been 19 unsolved murders of journalists since 2000 and that investigations into attacks lead nowhere.
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Africa Liberal Network holds General Assembly
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British author jailed in Singapore for defamation
ALDE calls on Lithuanian authorities to respect freedom of expression and assembly

Against corruption in the nuclear sector and turning Russia into a world’s nuclear waste dump

Statement by the Federal Council of the YABLOKO party, November 17, 2010

The YABLOKO party considers the adoption of the law “On Radioactive Waste Management” developed by Rosatom (Russian Atomic Ministry) absolutely unacceptable. We believe that the proposed wording the law makes it corruption prone, as well as creates additional conditions for the mass-scale imports of foreign radioactive waste into Russia for their burial...

Civil Women’s Forum held in Moscow

Press Release, November 14, 2010

On November 12-14 Civil Women’s Forum was held in Moscow within the framework of the 1st International Women’s Festival “Femme Fest”. The Forum was organised by the Council for Consolidation of Women’s Movement in Russia.

The Council offered to the public – representatives of non-profit organisations and state power bodies, journalists, academics and activists from different Russia’s regions – Women’s Post-Partisan Platform setting forth a number of specific demands connected with provision of representation of women in the bodies of power of all the levels, possibility to control adoption of political decisions via participation in the councils of power bodies, as well as a socially oriented federal budget.

The Forum also discussed the problems of combining family and carrier, traditional and new form of marriage and financial stability of families...

YABLOKO’s action in protection of journalists

Newsler.ru, November 15, 2010

On November 14, the YABLOKO party conducted a federal action against political terror launched against journalists and civil activists. Such a picket was held in Kirov.

At noon six activists of YABLOKO’s regional branch unfolded YABLOKO’s flags and placards “Search for truth = a way to death?”, “Who will protect the defenders?” and “Uninvestigated attacks [on journalists and human rights actvists]= a disgrace of the state!” Denis Shadrin, deputy head of the regional branch of YABLOKO told to the “Reporter” that attack against journalist Oleg Kashin was the reason for organizing the picket. “This incident was the law straw that breaks the camel’s back, as there were cases of violence against representatives of the media and civil activists,” Shadrin said. “The lives of the people who are telling the truth to the society are very important and should be in safety.” The goal of the picket was to draw the attention of the authorities to this problem...

YABLOKO is the most popular political party in Tula according to an Internet poll

Press Release, November 15, 2010

If parliamentary elections were taking place in the nearest time, 23.54 per cent of visitors of one of the most popular news web portals of the regions – Tula News – say they would vote for YABLOKO...

Action against persecution of journalists took place in Samara

samru.ru, November 15, 2010

On November 14, several one-person pickets demanding to stop persecutions of civil activists and journalists took place in Samara.Five people participated in picketing at the Heroes of the 21 Army Square (including journalist from the Echo Moskvi radio station Gor Melkonyan and head of YABLOKO’s regional branch Igor Yermolenko), five more people came to support the picket.

The participants of the action held a placard “Stop persecuting civil activists and journalists!”, another placard contained names of activists and journalists murdered or injured for the past years and a questions “Who’s next?”...

500 people came to a rally against political terror in Moscow

Press Release, November 14, 2010

About 500 people came to a rally against political terror which took place in Moscow today, despite of the fact that only 300 people were allowed for the rally by the authorities. The rally was initiated by the YABLOKO party, the Movement for Protection of the Khimki Forest and a number of other public organisations. The action was conducted on the second anniversary of attack on Mikhail Beketov, Editor-in-Chief of the Khimki Pravda paper, who was left handicapped due to grave injuries. The participants of the rally also paid tribute to other journalists and public activists – victims of “political bandits”...

Liberal International discussed political banditism in Russia

Press Release, November 13, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin made a report on situation in Russia at the meeting of Liberal International Executive Committee which is taking place in Cape Town, South African Republic.

Mitrokhin began his report with bad news. He told about an attack on civil activist Konstantin Fetisov and journalist Oleg Kashin. “Such crimes become more frequent, as they go unpunished,” stressed YABLOKO’s leader.

According to Mitrokhin, “in words Russian leaders advocate the rule of law and democracy. But their deeds strikingly differ from their declarations”. “The Russian authorities are unable to ensure implementation of laws in the country. But they widely practice arbitrary use of law as an instrument for protection of their political and economic interests,” he noted.

Regional elections are falsified, which demonstrates insecurity of the ruling party’s position. “High popularity ratings of Putin and Medvedev and very low rates of public trust to the state and public institutes demonstrate instability of our political system,” Mitrokhin said...

Country report on Russia by Sergei Mitrokhin.

Executive Committee of Liberal International. Cape Town, November 13, 2010

It has become increasingly dangerous to state one’s position in Russia. For the past week civil activist Konstantin Fektistov and journalist Oleg Kashin were beaten almost to death and severely injured. Such crimes become more frequent, as they go unpunished. Murders of well-known journalist Anna Politkovskaya, lawyer Stanislav Markelov and human rights activist Natalia Estemirova are still uninvestigated.

For the past years our party YABLOKO lost several our friends and colleagues – journalists and human rights activists Larissa Yudina, Yuri Schekochikhin and Farid Babayev. These crimes are still uninvestigated. The fact that crimes against politicians, journalists and human rights activists are unpunished gives rise to new crimes.

The Russian authorities are unable to ensure implementation of laws in the country. But they widely practice arbitrary use of law as an instrument for protection of their political and economic interests...

Radioactive waste should not get into Russia

Statement by the YABLOKO party, November 12, 2010

The YABLOKO party considers the practices of enrichment of uranium tailings in the territory of Russia dangerous and morally unacceptable. We are against the plans of transferring spent nuclear fuel from the German Centre for Nuclear Research in Rossendorf to Russia. Transfer of the spent fuel to Russia, where its storage and recycling is accompanied by radioactive emissions is dangerous, and we do not want Russia to turn into an international nuclear dump. There are no guarantees of security during transportation of spent nuclear fuel because of the quality of infrastructure, the danger of terrorism and high level of corruption in the country...

DA leader welcomes ALN members to Cape Town

Liberal International News Bulletin. Issue 209. November 13, 2010.

On Thursday 11 November Helen Zille leader of LI Full Member the Democratic Alliance and Premier of the Western Cape welcomed delegates to the launch of the African Liberal Network General Assembly in Cape Town. Representatives from 24 parties in 19 African countries have gathered to promote liberal democratic objectives and principles throughout the continent. “The general assembly is an opportunity to discuss the state of democracy in Africa, to share democratic best practice and to support one another in our respective political contexts,” Zille commented pointing out that the ALN represents, through its membership more than 12 million African voters...

Guy Verhofstadt: today Aung San Suu Kyi, tomorrow Liu Xiaobo
Press Release, ALDE, November 13, 2010

Today Aung San Suu Kyi has finally been released by the Burmese regime. After the fake elections, this gives at least new hope for a democratic Burma. Suu Kyi has represented in her country the spirit of Gandi of our century, making a nonviolent campaign for democracy and a pacific outspoken opposition to the almost fifty year old ruling military junta." said Guy Verhofstadt, President of the Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament, reacting to today's news that the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was released, after two decades under house arrest.

"Any country oppressing freedoms and human rights will sooner or later face its repercussions. May today's release also be an example and a sign for China to free 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo." Verhofstadt concluded...

YABLOKO's Federal Council adopts a New Course

Press Release, November 9, 2010

YABLOKO’s Federal Council meeting took place on November 5-6, 2010. The Federal Council is YABLOKO’s representative body and comprises about 170 people...

...In the document entitled “On the New Political Course” the Federal Council states the YABLOKO “considers qualitative evolutionary changes in Russia’s political and economic system by the key political task”. “We are reaffirming our the commitment to the principles and objectives stated in the Programme of the YABLOKO party - the Democratic manifesto. Construction of a modern democratic welfare state of the European type which would expresses the interests of the civil society and be controlled by it is the only possible way of Russia’s development. There is no other strategy for preservation and development of Russia,” runs the document...

YABLOKO to conduct an action in support of human rights activists and journalists in Ekaterinburg

Press Release, November 11, 2010

On Sunday, November 14, YABLOKO will hold a rally by the office of the ruling United Russia party in Ekaterinburg. The action will take place on the anniversary of the attack on Mikhail Beketov, Editor-in-Chief of the Khimkinskaya Pravda newspaper, and will be dedicated to all civil activists and journalists - victims of attacks and assaults...

"I believe that it is the ruling party, represented by its youth organisations, which has been fueling the fire of a deadly feud, fascism, and search of enemies in their country. I think that what we see today is just a consequence of this policy. I believe that violence can be ended only be means of civil protest and joining effort by all civil and political forces. Kremlin’s ideologists should realise that we will not tolerate such things", said Maxim Petlin, leader of the Sverdlovsk branch of YABLOKO and member of Ekaterinburg City Duma...

Binding national targets for energy efficiency savings are needed
ALDE, November 10, 2010

Commenting on today's (Wednesday, 10 November) presentation of the EU energy strategy for 2020 by EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, Fiona Hall, Leader of the UK Liberal Democrat MEPs, said:

"The Commission's shining new energy strategy does not distract from the fact that it is disappointingly short on detail.

"While I fully welcome the Commission's emphasis on energy efficiency, the now published strategy lacks new ideas and commitments to further the drive towards substantial reductions in energy consumption"...

SEE ALSO:

Marietje Shaake on North Caucasus. ALDE, Video, November 10, 2010

YABLOKO obtains a permission from the Moscow Mayor’s office to conduct a rally against political terror

Press Release, November 9, 2010

Today YABLOKO has obtained a permission from the Moscow Mayor’s office to conduct a rally against political terror on November 14. The rally will take place by the Giboyedov monument at Chistiye Prudi. The rally marks the sad anniversary of an attack against journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the Khimki Pravda paper Mikhail Beketov left handicapped because of the injuries (Mikhail was one of the activists protecting the Khimki Forest near Moscow and criticizing the local authorities), and will be commemorate all the journalists and human rights activists who were injured or murdered. The participants of the action will speak about Konstantin Fetisov, activist protecting the Khimiki Forest, and journalist of the Kommersant paper Oleg Kashin who were severely injured several days ago...

Pickets in support of journalist Oleg Kashin take place in St.Petersburg

Press Release, November 8, 2010

Pickets in support of journalist from the Kommersant paper Oleg Kashin attacked and severely injured at night on November 6, took place in St.Petersburg on Saturday and Sunday. The pickets were held in the main street of the city Nevsky Prospekt. Students from different universities, journalists and activists of St.Petersburg Youth YABLOKO participated in the picketing...

Germany Vice Chancellor support human rights activism in Europe

Liberal International Human Rights Newsletter. November 8, 2010

Marking 60 years of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Council of Europe, Guido Westerwelle, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany (FDP, LI full member), attended the event and delivered a speech. He cited examples of the Council of Europe's core mission, including fighting for Roma rights, fighting against human trafficking, dealing with new human rights challenges in the Internet era and support for the Court of Human Rights. Mr. Westerwelle also urged the Council of Europe to focus on human rights protection... MORE

¦Cuban liberal leader awarded Sakharov Prize by EU
¦LI Deputy President attends UN 3rd Committee on Human Rights
¦LI VP praises the awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident
¦LI evaluates LGBT rights in Singapore
¦Aquino initiates human rights body at ASEAN Summit
¦Liberals in Canada continue to fight for equal rights
¦Rising Islamophobia draws ire of human rights bodies
¦Combating poverty and social exclusion to ensure the basic human rights
¦Forced eviction in Zimbabwe is a violation of human rights
¦Human Rights under threat in North Caucasus

Sergei Mitrokhin took part in the picket of solidarity with journalist Oleg Kashin

Press Release, November 8, 2010

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin participated in the picketing of the Moscow Interior Office where journalists and public activists have been holding an ongoing action demanding to investigate the attack against journalist of the popular Kommersant paper Oleg Kashin...

On the attack against journalist Oleg Kashin

Statement by the Federal Council of the YABLOKO party, November 6, 2010

The Federal Council of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses indignation in connection with the attack against journalist of the Kommersant paper Oleg Kashin who was severely injured.

There is every reason to believe that the attack was related to his professional activities. YABLOKO wishes to Oleg Kashin a speedy recovery, and demands from the law enforcement a thorough investigation and punishment of those who committed this attack.

The YABLOKO party states that it is ready to participate in an independent investigation of the circumstances of this crime and render all possible assistance, its human and organizational resources to Editor-in-Chief Mikhail Mikhailin and the team of the Kommersant paper. YABLOKO has already had an experience of such investigations: on the case of murder of our friend and party colleague well-known Russian journalist Larissa Yudina...

YABLOKO expresses support to Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev

Statement by YABLOKO’s Political Committee, November 4, 2010 (published on November 7, 2010)

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO has been watching the trial of the second case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev with unflagging concern the. The party insists that the prosecution has been selective and therefore politically biased. The party urges the court to demonstrate its independence, professionalism and civic consciousness in making its verdict and not to take into account the highly questionable arguments of the prosecution...

YABLOKO criticizes Russian concept of Democracy

Liberal International News Bulletin. Issue 208. November 4, 2010...

In an interview with Russian Kommersant newspaper Grigory Yavlinsky, member of LI Full Member YABLOKO's Political Committee, discussed modernisation, reforms and elections in Russia pointing out that a collapse of the current political system could be a realistic option. ”The Soviet system was not reformed, [our society] was simply built on its ruins and that is why we have the system we currently have (...) Many people are losing trust in the state and its institutions (...) The ban on criticism of top officials, including the President and Prime Minister should be abolished without delay,” Yavlinsky said. He further commented on the Russian political system being 'an imitation of democracy” saying that official survey data implies that very few people believe that the carried out elections are fair. He also highlighted the importance of getting institutions working again through modernisation and reformation, “We should take institutional actions where possible reducing manual control to the required minimum (...) Institutions need to start functioning. Moreover, the apparent discrepancy between words and deeds encourages indifference and crime.” MORE

¦LI President meets former Taiwanese Vice President
¦European PM’s convene at ELDR Liberal Lunch Summit
¦Ivory Coast Presidential candidates head for run-off elections
¦DPP Chairwomen meets former Japanese Prime Minister
¦Liberals pave the way for Aquino Government
¦Tanzania and Zanzibar holds Presidential elections
¦Presentation of EuroMapping report
¦Historical Debate on Cambodia in the European parliament
¦YABLOKO criticizes Russian concept of Democracy
¦LI-ALDE Conference on Central Asia - Online only
¦Economic Freedom discussed in Asia - Online Only
¦FDP-Venstre: New Ways in European Dialogue – Promoting Liberal Ideas

Grigory Yavlinsky: Mikhail Khodorkovsky is a victim of the state system

Grigory Yavlinsky at Finam FM radio, November 3, 2010

The trial on the second criminal case of the YUKOS company is close to the end. The sentence to Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev will be announced on December 15. The state prosecution demands that the defendants should get 14 years of prison settlement. Co-Chair of the Board ZaModernizatsiyu.Ru (For Modernisationa) Grigory Yavlinsky commenting the trial to the Finam FM radio told that Khodorkovsky was a victim of the state system...

YABLOKO to pay tribute to the memory of fighters against Bolsheviks

Press Release, November 3, 2010

On November 7 (a former Great October Revolution Day), the YABLOKO party will conduct a memorial action paying tribute to those who defended democratic Russia – officers and students of junker schools who put up an armed resistance against the Bolshevik coup d’etat of 1917. A picket will take place by the Gogol monument at 13:00. The participants of the picket will tell about the struggle of the White Guard against Bolsheviks during October coup in Moscow. The activists will also display photographs of those times...

“Obvious discrepancy between words and deeds encourages indifference and crime.” Grigory Yavlinsky interview to Kommersant, October 26, 2010

...Kommersant: Why are all the democrats, including your party YABLOKO, have been constantly repeating that our political system is "an imitation of democracy." Is it because you are hurt: as democrats have been losing all the elections, this means that we have not a democracy, but its imitation?

Yavlinsky: They have been asking this question for fifteen years already. Do you think that it is possible to play being hurt for such a long period of time? I do not think people who say that twice two is four say so because they are offended. Millions of people are absolutely convinced that the elections are unfair. These are not only our ardent supporters (by the way, we have millions of supporters, even according to the official figures). Many people are losing their trust to the state and its institutions. But as many people still believe that we should participate in elections, at least for the fact that no one could say "well, you see, you yourself do not go, so it’s your fault”, we have to participate. By the way, the October election day (Ed. regional elections in 77 Russian regions took place on October 10, 2010) showed us many signals that people had positive attitude to us, although we experienced great difficulties in the campaign and monitoring over the counting of the results...

Mourning prohibited. Police stopped a memorial rally organised for paying tribute to the victims of Stalin’s reprisals in Krasnodar

Kasparov.ru, November 1, 2010

Krasnodar police did not allow to conduct a rally in memory of the victims of political reprisals on October 30. Movement For Krasnodar informed kasparov.ru about this. Citizens came to the memorial action with placards and flowers, however, the police stopped the rally... Organiser of the action and member of the local branch of YABLOKO Sergei Surma is facing a law suit for attempted organisation of an unsanctioned rally...

YABLOKO’s Federal Council meeting to take place on November 5-6

Press Release, November 1, 2010

YABLOKO’s Federal Council meeting to take place on November 5-6, 2010. The topic of the Federal Council’s meeting will be “The Party’s Policies for 2011-2012: the Strategy and the Tactics”. The meeting will be opened by Boris Misnik, Coordinator of the Political Committee, on November 5 at 11:00. Then party leader Sergei Mitrokhin will make a report “The Party’s policies for 2011-2012: the Strategy and the Tactics”. A briefing by YABLOKO’s leaders will be held from 12:00 to 13:00. Founder of the party and member of Political Committee Grigory Yavlinsky will make a report “The Political Situation in the Country and the World and Development Prospects” at 16:00...

Deputy Chairman of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO appeals to the Supreme Court of Russia and the European Court of Human Rights

Press Release, October 29, 2010

Ivan Bolshakov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO, who was sentenced to five years of probation in 2008 for his alleged “breaking an arm” to a policeman when police was dispersing a sanctioned rally in the South Butovo, Moscow, appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. Bolshakov asks the Supreme Court to abrogate the verdict all the subsequent decisions of the Moscow City Court in view of absence of crime in his actions, as well as in connection with the falsification of the criminal case against him by the law enforcement and multiple violations of the law during the trial...

YABLOKO participated in the Returning of the Names action

Press Release and photo report, October 29, 2010

Activists and leaders of the YABLOKO party participated in the Returning of the Names action organised by the Memorial human rights society. The action took place on the threashold of the Memory Day of the Victims of Political Reprisals.

Muscovites made a long queue to read out the names of the victims of Stalin’s terror. Each of the participants obtained a list with the list containing names of the victims of political reprisals of 1937-1938, their age, post and the date of execution. Ending the reading with the words “we shall never forget them” the participants of the action put a candle by the Solovetsky Stone...