On April 24 a rally against the ruling United
Russia party under the slogans "We want changes"
and "Down with the party of thieves" was held in
Barnaul, the Altai Territory. Activists from the regional
offices of the YABLOKO party, the Communist Party, the Party
of People’s Freedom and the Russian People's Democratic Union
participated in the action.
The administration of the city changed the agreed place of
the rally in the centre of the city under the pretext of “avoiding
a conflict with young people advertising” some product.
The organisers of the rally are going to forward the resolution
to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Federation Council Speaker
Sergei Mironov, Chairman of the State Duma Boris Gryzlov,
Public Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika, Minister of Justice
Alexander Konovalov and head of the Barnaul administration
Igor Savintsev. The resolution demands from the authorities
to ensure equal access for political parties to state and
local media, provide equal representation of parties in all
electoral commissions, conduct fair and transparent elections,
simplify the system of registration of new political parties,
abolish collection of signatures for candidates and party
lists, lower the minimum barrier at elections, restore direct
election of governors and members of the Federation Council,
keep direct election of mayors, and ensure effective separation
of powers and independence of the judicial branch.
The resolution also runs that the main political force impeding
the country's modernisation is the ruling United Russia party
which has monopolised the power in the country and tends to
political dictatorship.
In addition, the protesters demand that the Russian President
should instruct Public Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika to check
the lawfulness of the actions of the officials in collecting
dossiers on the opposition during the filing of the so-called
"electoral passports of the regions" at the Altai
Territory. The protesters demand from the deputies of the
State Duma and the Federation Council to ratify paragraphs
4 and 20 of the UN Convention Against Corruption which will
oblige all civil servants not only to declare their income,
but also give explanations about the value of their assets
and expenses. The resolution also runs that Public Prosecutor
General and the Minister of Justice should conduct an audit
of the United Russia regional offices as of their compliance
with paragraph 5 of Article 9 of the law "On Political
Parties” and in case of detection of violations initiate liquidation
such regional offices via court. The protestors also demand
that Barnaul head Mr.Savintsev should dismiss his first deputy
Peter Friesen "for systematic violation of citizens'
rights to assemble peacefully, without weapons, hold rallies,
demonstrations, marches and pickets."
See also:
YABLOKO's
Against Corruption
YABLOKO
and the parties of power
Regional
Elections 2011
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