April 28, 2011

YABLOKO condemns political charges made against Sakharov Laureate Oleg Orlov
LI News Bulletin, Issue 230, April 28, 2011

LI full member party Yabloko has expressed great concerns over the recent charges made against Russian Human Rights Activist Oleg Orlov due to his comments that the Moscow-backed President of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, is politically responsible for the murder of fellow human rights activist Natalya Estemirova in July 2009. According to Yabloko leader, Sergei Mitrokhin: ““Ramzan Kadyrov's case is a special case even for our generally low political culture. Even in our conditions of extreme restrictions on freedom of speech and general judicial arbitrariness, it never occurred to anyone to make allegations of political responsibility a subject of a law suit…Russia's policies on Chechnya have to be changed sooner or later. The carte blanche to Ramzan Kadyrov and the people around him is not infinite. We urge the Russian leadership to realize this and change the policies to a more responsible approach. And we repeat: persecution of Oleg Orlov is inadmissible.” Mr. Orlov is the head of the Russian civil rights defence organization Memorial, which won the EU's 2009 Sakharov Prize for Freedom and thought.

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YABLOKO’s Green Russia faction conducted an All-Russia Memorial Action commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster

Press Release, April 27, 2011.

On April 26, 2011, YABLOKO’s Green Russia faction conducted an All-Russia Memorial Action (Chernobyl+25) commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. The action was held in 23 Russian cities.

The actions organised by the Green Russia faction together with many other political and public organisations all over the world pay remind to the world of the Chernobyl tragedy, the largest technogenic disaster in the human history.

The Green Russia conducted actions in several regions. Activists distributed leaflets on the Chernobyl tragedy and its consequences.

Concern at political reprisals against Oleg Orlov
ELDR Press Release, April 28, 2011.

The ELDR Party and our member, Yabloko, have expressed concern about the political reprisals made against Oleg Orlov human rights activist and former winner of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize (honouring the defence of human rights and freedom of thought), and current chair of the Human Rights Centre "Memorial" for voicing criticism about the investigation into the murder of human rights activist Natalya Estemirova in 2009...

YABLOKO conducted an action by the Russian Atomic Ministry commemorating the 25th Chernobyl disaster

Press Release, April 26, 2011.

Today YABLOKO’s activists conducted an action commemorating the 25th Chernobyl disaster. The action was conducted by the Russian Atomic Ministry (Rosatom). The participants of the picket paid tribute to the victims of the Chernobyl tragedy and also spoke about the problems of the modern nuclear energy sector...

Rally under the slogans "Down with the party of thieves" and "We want changes" held in Barnaul

Press Release, April 25, 2011.

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...

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

April 25, 2011.

In April the whole world is commemorating the tragic date – the Day of Remembrance of Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The tragedy of the Armenian nation has become one of the first tragic dates in the list of tragedies of the 20th century.
We are commemorating the pain of the Armenian nation not only because many of the consequences of this genocide are manifest even at present, but also because such hardships make their impact on the further destiny of the nation. We have always felt special closeness with the Armenian people, and therefore fully share both your historical memory and your pain...

Secretary of Mordovian Central Electoral Commission did not want to listen to YABLOKO’s criticism

Press Release, April 21, 2011.

Members of the Central Electoral Commission of Mordovia, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Justice left the Electoral Commission meeting during the speech of Vladimir Gridin, the leader of the Mordovian branch of YABLOKO.

Responding to the acting Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission of Mordovia Alexander Kalinin, who devoted part of his speech to the "failures" of the YABLOKO party during elections, Vladimir Gridin accused the Electoral Commission in large-scale fraud. Gridin also recalled the scandal during parliamentary elections in 2007 when 102% of the voters in one of the polling stations in Mordovia voted for the ruling United Russia party. According to Gridin, election fraud can be interpreted as a "seizure of power", and this is a crime against the state which does not have any limitation period...

Public Prosecutor General does not want to open “Putin’s country cottage” case

Press Release, April 21, 2011.

Public Prosecutor General’s Office withdrew the responsibility for examination of unlawful privatisation of land for the so-called "Putin's dacha” (Putin’s country cottage). That is how YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin commented the response from Public Prosecutor’s Office on his appeal to Public Prosecutor General Yury Chaika.

V.Kroshkin, Senior Assistant of Public Prosecutor General, informed Mitrokhin that his appeal had been forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Krasnodar Area for a “rapid response." Kroshkin promised that an audit would be conducted and if grounds were found, prosecutor’s measures would be taken.

"I do not understand why the Krasnodar Public Prosecutor’s Office should deal with this case, as it is a federal facility, which belonged to the Presidential Property Management Department," Mitrokhin said...

Where did the money from the sale of Bank of Moscow disappear?

Press Release, April 20, 2011.

Such a question YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin put before Sergei Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, in his letter forwarded to the Mayor’s office on April 20. A package of shares of the Bank of Moscow and the Capital Insurance Group (Stolichnaya Stakhovaya Gruppa) was first into the authorized capital of OAO the Moscow Fuel Company (MFC) and then was sold to the VTB Bank...

On political reprisals against human rights activist Oleg Orlov

Statement by YABLOKO's Political Committee , April 18, 2011.

The Political Committee of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses its indignation in view of political reprisals against human rights activist and Chair of the Memorial human rights centre Oleg Orlov.

Orlov’s statement on political responsibility of [the head of Chechnya] Ramzan Kadyrov for the murder of [human rights activist] Natalya Estemirova can not form grounds for any presecution, either in the civil or moreover in the criminal suit...

April 19, 2011

Ashton must forge a bold strategy on Arab democracy movements
Press Release, ALDE, April 19, 2011

As the Arab Spring is spreading to a number of Middle Eastern and Gulf countries it is becoming all the more imperative for European countries to agree a common position and common response. This is particularly urgent in the cases of Syria, Yemen and Bahrain where citizens are mobilising in their thousands on a daily basis for political freedom and democracy yet frequently paying with their lives...

Exceptional elections bring about government change in Finland
ELDR Press Release, April 18, 2011.
The financial crisis has finally taken its toll in Finland. Like in so many other European precedents, the sitting government, led for the last eight years by ELDR member party Keskusta (Centre Party), was punished when the country's population placed its votes yesterday, on Sunday 17 April, in what was widely described beforehand as the most interesting and unpredictable elections ever in Finland.

The elections were greatly influenced by inter alia Finland’s participation in the controversial EU bail-out packages. Despite great efforts on the campaign trail, Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi's party was left trailing and is now likely to face a four-year spell in opposition. In total, they managed to gather 35 MPs, which places them as fourth largest party in the country...

"Russia - Europe: Partnership for Modernisation"
Vesti-Moscow TV channel, April 18, 2011.

"Russia - Europe: Partnership for Modernisation" – such is the title of the international forum taking place at Novy Arbat street, Moscow on Monday. The key topic of the meeting is establishing partnership agreements between Russian and European manufacturers.

According to representatives of the YABLOKO party who participated in the forum, a large-scale organisation of joint business should start with abolishing of the visa regime between Russia and EU member states. In addition, important changes should be introduced into laws.

“It is very important so that the visa regime is abolished and we insist on this. And it is very important that our institutions become consistent with the European institutions. I mean here laws referring to functioning of business and transparency of state bodies for all the citizens,” stressed Galina Mikhalyova, Executive Secretary of the Political Committee of the YABLOKO party...

YABLOKO conducted two rallies in Irkutsk during the past weekend

Press Release, April 18, 2011.

The activists from the Irkutsk branch of YABLOKO conducted two rallies in Irkutsk during the past weekend. The first rally was conducted against the government’s policies in the housing and utilities sector, raising of tariffs and taxes. About 200 people came to the action by the Regional Administration building...

The second rally was conducted in protection of Lake Baikal from pollution of the Baikal Pulp Plant owned by oligarch Oleg Deripaska. This rally joined together about 250 people...

A rally against election fraud took place in Kaliningrad

Press Release, April 18, 2011.

On April 17, 2011, a rally against election fraud took place in Kaliningrad. Vladimir Korolyov, Bureau member of YABLOKO’s regional branch and Andrei Kovalevsky acting Deputy Chair of the regional branch spoke at the rally. About 1,000 participants came to the rally. The resolution unanimously adopted by the participants calls Russian Presidnet Dmitry Medvedev to approve public commission for auditing the results of regional election in the Kaliningrad region which took place in March 2011. YABLOKO proposed Andrei Kovalevsky as commission member.

A motor rally against cement elevator took place in Moscow

Press Release, April 17, 2011.

A motor rally against cement elevator took place in Pechatniki district, Moscow. The race was conducted by local residents and YABLOKO’s activists led by party leader Sergei Mitrokhin. Activists in cars with stickers “Stop Cement in Pechatniki!” collected signatures against a cement facility in a residential district.

The South Port cement elevator by the Eurocement company is situated on the bank of the Moskva River in close proximity to blocks of flats. The decision to close the facility was adopted in 2003, when he the draft plan of the district development was developed, repeated decisions were passed in 2005 and 2007. However, the facility has never stopped...

Neo-Nazis attacked YABLOKO’s activist

Press Release, April 16, 2011.

In the evening April 16 neo-Nazis attacked Anatoly Rabinovich, YABLOKO’s Bureau member and President of the Inter-Regional Union of those who was brought up in orphanages.

Rabinovich was attacked when he was going back home from the Moscow Conference of YABLOKO. Coming out of the Barrikadnaya metro station and walking to Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya street he walked away from a group of not sober young men. Several seconds later one of the men hit Rabinovish from behind. Rabinovich tried to return to the metro station hoping to get help from police. However, neo-Nazis were chasing him striking blows...

April 15, 2011

Sergei Mitrokhin: a sad anniversary – 10 years since establishing of state control over the private NTV television channel. April 14, 2011.

Ten years have passed since ruining of the private independent television channel and dissolution of the team of 1journalists who had been showing to the country every day how important the profession of a journalist is for the society and freedom of speech. On April 14, 2001, the management of the NTV channel was completely changed. And virtually from this moment censorship has been widely exercised in Russia...

See also: the NTV case

Participation in peaceful demonstrations a human right
ELDR Press Release, April 15, 2011.

...Earlier this week Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of ELDR member party, Yabloko, was arrested and detained by police for taking part in a protest to demand the closure of a cement plant in the Pechatniki district of Moscow. The plant is situated in close proximity to a residential area and is considered a health concern for local residents.

Yabloko applied for permission to conduct a peaceful protest at the plant, but the local authorities delayed, beyond the legal limit, a response to the application and even though permission was eventually granted, Yabloko activists were prevented from holding their protest and Mitrokhin was arrested by police...

European Liberal Democrats are the strongest supporters of human rights and the rule of law and consider these values to be fundamental to the future relationship between the EU and Russia. Stopping peaceful demonstrations contravenes an essential human right and this is a worrying sign, particularly in view of upcoming parliamentary elections to be held in Russia later this year.

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin detained at picket
LI News Bulletin, Issue 228, April 14, 2011

Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of LI full member YABLOKO, was arrested at a peaceful picket in Moscow yesterday (13 April). Yabloko activists were demonstrating against a cement plant, demanding the authorities to close it down, as it poses a health risk to nearby residents. Despite YABLOKO having applied for permission to picket, police arrived at the scene claiming that YABLOKO lacked a valid permission. Following his arrest, Mr Mitrohkin was detained for more than 3 hours. Commenting on the events to LI news, Mitrohkin says: 'Such detentions of people coming to legal and permitted rallies and pickets have already formed a dangerous trend in Russia: we often witness unmotivated police violence in breaking peaceful rallies or pickets, filing of criminal cases against people who dare to criticise the governments or administrations or defend their civil rights. All this means further curbing of the freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in contrast to loud statements made by Russian top officials.' Sergei Mitrokhin now has to appear in court accused of participating in an unsanctioned picket.

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Activists of the Youth branch of St.Petersburg YABLOKO held a Skype conference under the FSB windows

Press Release, April 13, 2011.

Activists of the St. Petersburg Youth branch of YABLOKO held a flashmob in front of the Federal Security Service (FSB) office in St. Petersburg. The action was conducted in response to the recent statements by the representatives of the FSB on the need to ban Gmail, Hotmail and Skype in Russia.

Several activists organized a Skype-conference directly under the windows of the Federal Security Service. The activists held laptops connected to the Internet and also held inscriptions "The threat to Russian security" on their backs. The participants of the Skype-conference discussed the recent statement by the FSB and came to a conclusion that the idea to ban Skype, Gmail and Hotmail was "stupid and useless". Chair St. Petersburg Youth Yabloko Alexander Gudimov also held a banner "Freedom can not be banned”...

The day of remembrance of the Katyn victims

Document, April 13, 2011.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO shares the grief of the Polish people on the day of remembrance of the Katyn tragedy.

This is also our grief about many people - Russian, Polish and dozens of other nationalities murdered by a ruthless regime - and crippled destinies of many people.

All the truth about the Katyn tragedy must be released so that not to let such things happen anymore.

We highly appreciate the efforts of the Russian and the Polish side made at political and expert levels so that to restore historical justice.

However, we consider it necessary to declassify all the documents relating to the Katyn tragedy and make them available for academics...

YABLOKO’s leader detained by police at a picket by the administration of one of the Moscow districts

Press Release, April 13, 2011.

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin was detained by police at a picket by the administration of one of the South-Eastern District of Moscow. The picketers demanded to close a cement plant in Pechatniki district. The plant is situated by the Moskva-River embankment. Local residents say the district has been growing and new blocks of flats have been built already very close to the functioning plant. “We breathe in the cement power,” they say.

In 2003 the plan of the district development envisaged a park that had to be made on the place of the plant which had to be moved to an industrial zone. However, the plant is still functioning in the residential district. YABLOKO’s activists held placards demanding to close the plant.

In 20 minutes police arrived and demanded the picketers to leave the place. Also the police carefully studied the allowance obtained for the picket from the local authorities in accordance with the law...

Reform or Revolution: A Book by Vladimir Kara-Murza

Press Release, April 13, 2011.

On March 22 and 24, the Moscow and St. Petersburg offices of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO hosted the launch of Reform or Revolution: The Quest for Responsible Government in the First Russian State Duma, a book by Russian historian and journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, Jr. The book recounts the unsuccessful attempt by the Constitutional Democratic Party (Kadets) to form a government during the short period of existence of the first Russian Parliament in April–July 1906...

April 12, 2011

To the 50th anniversary of the first man in space

Press Release, April 12, 2011.

...Every year on April 12, and especially in this anniversary year, we, as on same day in 1961, which is familiar to all of us from newsreels, take pride in this day and this man, and all those who prepared that flight, and who at present in such difficult conditions maintains the reputation of Russian space industry!..

EU States continue to pass the buck over responsibility for North African migrants
Press Release, ALDE, April 12, 2011

As tension continues to mount over the treatment of migrants fleeing from North African countries, solidarity and respect for agreed rules amongst EU Member States appears to be falling apart. Remarks by Italian Interior Minister, Roberto Maroni at yesterday's JHA Council meeting in Luxembourg that Italy might leave the EU over the issue marks a new low in relations between Europe's Mediterranean countries who have been passing the buck over responsibility for processing the thousands of additional requests for entry visas for North African migrants...

Condolences in connection with the act of terror in metro in Minsk

Press Release, April 12, 2011.

...The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO and all our supporters express condolences to all those who suffered in the barbaric act of terror in the Minsk metro, all who lost their next of kin and all the Belarus people.

We see that you are bearing this hardship with dignity and honour so characteristic of your nation.

We understand what you are feeling now and are sharing your grief and pain...

1,500 people came to environmental rally in Tuapse

Press Release, April 9, 2011.

...YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin also made a speech at the rally. “I have an impression now that the authorities decided to divide the Black Sea coast into several zones: one, where Eurochim, Rosneft and other oligarchic structures earn their profits at the expense of health of local residents, and the second zone for construction of cottages and palaces for bureaucrats and oligarchs,” Mitrokhin said. He promised to send an address to President Medvedev demanding to prohibit the launch of the terminal...

Igor Artemyev congratulated Grigory Yavlinsky on his birthday

Kommersant, April 10, 2011.

On April 10 member of the Political Committee of the YABLOKO party Grigory Yavlinsky turns 59.

Here come congratulations to Grigory Yavlinsky from the head of the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service Igor Artemyev.

Dear Grigory Alexeyevich,
Please receive my heartiest congratulations on your birthday!
It is absolutely clear that our lives would have been different if we had not the opportunity to work and be friends with you. Your impeccable record as political and public figure serves as model for many people in this country and abroad. Having immense knowledge in the world economics and politics and great professional experience you manage to transfer these to other generations and implement your ideas. Let me on this day express my deep respect to you and let all your plans come true, also wishing you success, health and prosperity to you and your next of kin!

Speeches and texts. Algorithms for Opposing Gender Discrimination: the International and the Russian Experience

YABLOKO and ELDR joint conference. Moscow, March 12, 2011

April 11, 2011.

Round table “Political and Economic Development of the Northern Caucasus: Diagnosis and Forecast” took place in YABLOKO

Press Release, April 7, 2011.

Round table “Political and Economic Development of the Northern Caucasus: Diagnosis and Forecast” took place in YABLOKO. Galina Mikhalyova, Executive Secretary of YABLOKO’s Political Committee, noted opening the discussion that it was very important for the party to conduct such a discussion with experts so that to develop an alternative policies for the Caucasus...

Yavlinsky warns of a new revolution in Russia and proposes to call a Constituent Assembly

Interfax, April 7, 2011.

...Assessing the current situation in Russia, Yavlinsky stated that "the present Russian political regime, which emerged after 1991 and shaped during in the past decade, has failed to create a modern state resulting in an ongoing and steadily deepening and insurmountable gap between the government and people, the state and the society."

"I think that the situation which has developed by the spring of 2011, begins threatening the very existence of Russia. The government has been losing the remnants of formal democratic legitimacy [which is demonstrated by their] systematic election fraud. People do not vote for the United Russia not because they do not support this party, but because people do not care about it, and because it is a normal thing [to abstain from voting]," runs Yavlinsky’s article...

YABLOKO supports de-Stalinisation programme

Press Release, April 1, 2011.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO supports the proposals on launching of a nation-wide state public programme “On perpetuation of memory of victims of the totalitarian regime…” prepared by the Working Group on Historical Memory of the Council for Civil Society Development and Human Rights under the President of the Russian Federation.

YABLOKO expresses its satisfaction in view of the fact that the proposals by the Working Group as of their meaning and proposed measures, largely coincide with YABLOKO’s Political Committee decision “Overcoming of Stalinism and bolshevism as a key factor for Russia’s transformation in the 21st century” of February 28, 2009...

ALDE continues to push nuclear safety agenda
Press Release, ALDE, April 6, 2011

...Stressing that the consequences of a nuclear accident go beyond national borders and need to be tackled at a multinational level, Lena EK (Centre Party, Sweden), ALDE spokesperson for the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), said: "There is an obvious need for close cooperation, coordination and exchange of information within the EU and with neighbouring third countries. We need a strategy that goes beyond EU borders and that provides common standards guaranteeing a high level of nuclear safety..."

YABLOKO to conduct an environmental rally and a demonstration in Tuapse

Press Release, April 5, 2011.

An environmental rally and a demonstration organised by the Green Russia faction of the YABLOKO Party with support of the North Caucasus Environmental Watch will be conducted in Tuapse, Krasnodar Area, on April 9. The main issue of the rally is not to allow for launching of a terminal for transshipment of chemical fertilizers of the Eurochom company. The terminal is built in the centre of the city...

March in Protection of St.Petersburg joined together 2,000 participants

Press Release, April 3, 2011.

The 5th Extraordinary March in Protection of St.Petersburg was conducted in a form of a rally. Marches in protection of the historical part of the city are regularly held every autumn. The action joined together 2,000 participants. The main slogans of the march were “We have won over the Okhta-Centre, we will win over irresponsibility of the bureaucrats from the city government!” and “Let us preserve the heart of St.Petersburg!”...

Norwegian liberals greeted proposals by YABLOKO’s leader on closer cooperation of Russian and Europe with a storm of applause

Press Release, April 4, 2011.

YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin made a speech at a congress of Norwegian liberal party Venstre on April 3, 2011. His speech was devoted to the issues of European integration, Russia’s role in this process, as well as problems Russia encounter in its development as a democratic state. Over 500 people were present at the congress: delegates of the Venstre party and leaders of foreign sister parties.

In his speech Sergei Mitrokhin told to his foreign colleagues about the history and the structure of the YABLOKO party, as well as the liberal and democratic values YABLOKO have been advocating for almost 20 years already.

Sergei Mitrokhin also said that the approach of the Western leaders based on Realpolitik had failed. YABLOKO’s leader called the EU to develop a single strategy in its relations with Russia: “The lack of firm approach to Russia when liberal values or human rights are concerned was regarded as a kind of carte blanche by our elites. And now we all have what we have”...

Russia should derive a lesson from the disaster in Japan. Statement by YABLOKO’s Political Committee. March 26, 2011.

The Political Committee of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO is sending deep condolences to the Japanese people in connection with tragedy resulting from the natural disaster. Destruction of nuclear power stations prone with additional radiation exposure for people and dangerous pollution of the territories is especially dangerous and presents a continuous threat to the population. Attempts to stop the tragic developments have not been much successful so far...

China: Liberals call for release of Ai Weiwei
Press Release, ALDE, April 4, 2011

Ai Weiwei, a vocal critic of the Chinese regime who is best known for designing Beijing's Bird's Nest Olympic stadium and the current 'sunflower seed' installation in London's Tate Modern, was detained in Beijing yesterday and remains unreachable since being held by Chinese authorities at the capital's airport...

Combating populism and extremism across the European Union
Press Release, ALDE, March 30, 2011

Addressing a Liberal and Democrat conference today in Brussels, Guy Verhofstadt warned against retreating into a "nationalist air-raid shelter" and called for society to adapt to the new multi-polar world whilst turning the process of globalisation into a positive rather than negative concept, developing humane and sustainable migration policies and remaining true to the open society...

April 1, 2011

On the danger of revolutionary moods in Russia
Statement by YABLOKO’s Political Committee. March 26, 2011.

Dramatic political events have been taking place in the world, North Africa and the Middle East in the recent months. Sudan split into two parts as a result of 20 years of a bloody war. Unprecedented for the Arab world democratic revolution won in Tunisia. Resulting from a further spread of public disturbances, one of the long living authoritarian regimes - the regime of President Hosni Mubarak – collapsed in the neighbouring Egypt. Demonstrations of protest have been continuously erupting in the neighbouring North African and the Gulf states: Algeria, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Oman and Djibouti...