Grigory Yavlinsky: "We will win over Vladimir Putin at any elections, whenever they may take place".

Press Release, June 17, 2012.

The YABLOKO party is preparing to parliamentary and presidential elections that may take place any moment. Such a statement was made by party founder Grigory Yavlinsky at YABLOKO’s congress held in the Moscow region this weekend.

"We fully admit that new elections may be held not in five or four years, but much earlier, and this period will depend on the moods of the people and their attitude to what has been happening in the country," said Grigory Yavlinsky.

He also stressed that neither his presidential campaign, nor YABLOKO’s fight for creation of the party faction in the State Duma did not stop. "In the recent parliamentary elections, even according to the official figures, we received a mandate from the 2.5 million voters who do not want to live in lawlessness, corruption and continuous lies, and we must live up to this mandate," Yavlinsky concluded...

YABLOKO's congress appealed UNESCO in view of endangered "The Western Caucasus" World Natural Heritage Site

Press Release, June 18, 2012.

On June 17, the 17th Congress of the YABLOKO party unanimously adopted an appeal On the threat of the destruction of unique natural complexes of the World Natural Heritage Site "The Western Caucasus". The appeal is addressed to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee that will meet for a session in St.Petersburg in the end of June. The draft appeal was submitted to the Congress by Andrei Rudomakha, head of the Krasnodar branch of YABLOKO and Sergei Mitrokhin, YABLOKO Chairman.

YABLOKO called the World Heritage Committee to pay special attention to the critical situation in the field of preservation of World Natural Heritage Site "The Western Caucasus"...

On the threat of the destruction of unique natural complexes of the World Natural Heritage Site "The Western Caucasus"

The 17th Congress of YABLOKO, June 18, 2012.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO calls the World Heritage Committee at its forthcoming session, which will be held in St.Petersburg in late June, to pay special attention to the critical situation in the field of preservation of World Natural Heritage Site "The Western Caucasus".
"The Western Caucasus" based on the Caucasian Nature Reserve is a unique natural area, that is not only a national treasure of Russia, but also the natural heritage of all the mankind. Throughout the period since 1999 up to the present, when "The Western Caucasus" was included in the list of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site this object has been endangered by different projects that could destroy it...

YABLOKO to light up 1418 candles in memory of the Second World War

Press Release, June 19, 2012.

The YABLOKO party will conduct an action "1418 candles per every day of the war" will be conducted in memory of the victims of the Second World War. The action will be held in Moscow at night from June 21 to June 22.

1418 candles (per the number of the days of war of the USSR with Nazis in 1941-1945) will be lit in the Victory Park at Poklonnaya Gora (Park Pobedi metro station). The action will begin at on June 21 at 10 p.m. YABLOKO leaders and activists will take part in the action.

The action "1418 candles per every day of the war" has become traditional for the YABLOKO party and has been held in Moscow for several years already.

YABLOKO modernises its programme

Press Release, June 18, 2012.

The 17th congress of the YABLOKO Party ended in the Moscow Region on Sunday. The party's congress approved a new reading of the programme documents of the party, namely " The Democratic Manifesto" and the programme "Russia Demands Changes!" the party was running with at the latest State Duma elections. Both the documents did not undergo any major changes but were only modernised and adapted to the present moment.

The YABLOKO Party named among its new tasks the fight for the abolishment of the tough amendments on the law on rallies, real gubernatorial elections without any artificial restricting filters and a range of initiatives for judicial reform...

YABLOKO demands investigation of the actions of the head of Russia's Investigative Committee

Statement by YABLOKO Chairman, June 13, 2012.

Information about an intimidation campaign launched by Alexander Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, against Sergei Sokolov, journalist of oppositional Novaya Gazeta, is extremely alarming.

It provides ample grounds to begin an immediate investigation of what happened on June 4 in Nalchik and the Moscow region.

We demand that such an investigation is conducted and full information on the results of such investigation must be publicized.

We also believe that until the investigation is completed, more attention should be paid to security provisions for Novaya Gazeta journalists...

Grigory Yavlinsky led YABLOKO’s column at the March of the Millions

Press Release, June 12, 2012.

YABLOKO's activists and supporters participated in demonstration of the opposition in Moscow. Party members formed a column under the banner "We demand new elections!". The column was led by party leaders Grigory Yavlinsky, Valery Borshchyov, Anatoly Golov, Yugeny Bunimovich, Galina Mikhalyova, leader of the Youth Yabloko Kirill Goncharov and other.

"We participate in today's demonstration because millions of people do not agree with the policies pursued by Vladimir Putin, as well as lawlessness [in the country]. We received a mandate from our voters - and only according to the official data, there are over two million of such people – for a continuous political struggle for a different system: for fair elections, an independent judiciary, equality before the law and the inviolability of property rights," Grigory Yavlinsky said to journalists...

Mass demonstrations in Moscow are first shoots of a Russian political Spring
Press Release, ALDE, June 12, 2012

In reaction to the protests in Russia today which saw one hundred thousand people take to the streets to demand reforms, Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE Leader says the Russian authorities should take immediate concrete steps to implement reform...

Kristiina Ojuland, ALDE Spokesperson on Russia said: "The recent decision by the State Duma to drastically increase persecution of peaceful protesters is not in line with European standards and international practice as authorities claim. There is nothing democratic about the 200 fold increase in fines for those willing to express their views freely and peacefully. This boils down to yet another effort by the authorities to tighten their grip on power and suppress further fundamental rights of Russian citizens."

Mitrokhin about searches in the homes of Russian opposition figures: the country has moved to an open dictatorship regime

Press Release, June 11, 2012.

Based on Echo Moskvi reports

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin commenting to the Echo Moskvi radio station the searches in the homes of Alexei Navalny and other opposition activists noted that police reprisals also affected YABLOKO’s activists:

"Our activists are affected, in particular, such psychological pressure was used against Kirilll Gontcharov, leader of the Moscow branch of Youth YABLOKO, as police tried to get into his home yesterday. Now he has to hide. Our activists also suffer from this impudent police pressure, which is not connected to any violations and is not based on law.

I believe that after the adoption of amendments to the law on rallies the country transferred to an open dictatorship regime. Putin ceased imitating democracy, he abandoned all his masks. Searches and other police actions are the links of the same chain."

YABLOKO's congress to take place on June 16-17

Press Release, June 9, 2012.

The 17th Congress of the YABLOKO party will be held in the Moscow region on June 16 - 17, 2012. The congress will elect new party leadership and adopt party programme for 2012 - 2016.

On the first day the congress will listen to a report by YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin and will elect the party leadership. The delegates have to elect party Chair, Political Committee members, the Bureau, the Audit Commission and the party Arbitrage.

On the second day the congress will discuss the party aims and goals for 2012 – 2016.

About 140 delegates from 72 regional party branches will take part in the congress...

YABLOKO to protest against the new law on rallies at the March of the Millions

Press Release, June 9, 2012.

The YABLOKO party will participate in the March of the Millions on June 12 where it will protest against signing by President Putin of the new law on rallies virtually putting a ban on street actions.

YABLOKO activists will form a column under the slogan "The law on rallies is a way to a fascist state". All YABLOKO's previous protest actions were conducted under this slogan when the draft law was examined by the State Duma and the Federation Council. Then YABLOKO protested at all the stages of the legislative process - by the Duma, the Federation Council and the Kremlin.

YABLOKO activists will bring banners illustrating the reprisals prone nature of the law: picturing Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Heinrich Himmler, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Lavrenty Beria and Vladimir Putin with a subscription "Fascists are for it! KGB people are for it!"...

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin to visit Omsk

Press Release, June 9, 2012.
...On June 11, Mitrokhin will participate in the conference of the regional branch of YABLOKO.

On June 12, he will meet students, political scientists and other citizens in the conference hall of hotel Tourist at 11:30. The topic of the meeting is "Omsk on the threashold of mayoral elections". Address: Str. Broz Tito, 2.

Then YABLOKO leader will join the rally in support of Moscow's March of the Millions.

A public inspection on problematic sites of the city will take place at 15:13: Ptichya Gavan (Birds’ Harbour) – Zyelyoniy Ostrov (Green Island) - Metro – Silicon plant.

On June 13 (at 15:00) Sergei Mitrokhin, Alexander Korotkov, YABLOKO's candidate for mayor of Omsk, and Tatiana Ovcharenko, renowned expert in the field of protection of citiznes' rights in the housing and utilities sector, will participate in the press conference "Challenges before Omsk on the Threashold of the Mayoral Elections". The press conference will take place in the press center of the Komsomolskaya Pravda paper.

Spokesperson of HR/VP Catherine Ashton on Russia's new law on rallies
June 8, 2012.

From Ms Maja KOCIJANCIC, Spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

The EU has noted the adoption of a bill yesterday by both houses of the Russian Federal Assembly that significantly increases fines and reinforces other forms of punishment for violations during public events, i.e. rallies and demonstrations.

The EU is concerned about the possible implications of this bill, many of which have already been underlined by many Russian politicians, journalists and civil society actors.

We understand that the signing of this bill by the President is still under consideration. We have also taken note of the President’s intention to consult further and hear all views before taking a final decision on this bill.

As a neighbour and as Russia's Strategic Partner, the EU believes that the recent civic activism offers a valuable opportunity for the state to engage in a constructive dialogue with civil society which could bring benefits to both sides. In our view regulations that discourage civic engagement are not conducive to achieve this objective. However, some encouraging reforms have been announced by the Russian government, and this process should be taken further...

The EU is concerned by reports that 18 peaceful protesters, including some prominent Yabloko members, were arrested during a peaceful demonstration against the new bill on public rallies outside the State Duma.

The EU recalls Russia's international commitments as a member of the Council of Europe and the OSCE to guarantee the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly.

Mitrokhin: signing by President Putin of the law on rallies represents an actual ban on street actions

Interfax, June 8, 2012.

Signing by Russian President Vladimir Putin of amendments into the law on rallies and the Administrative Offenses Code toughening punishment for violations during mass public actions represents an actual ban on street political actions, said YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin.

"Virtually this represents a ban on rallies and political actions. Everyone – organizers, activists and all public persons from all the sides are under blow," Mitrokhin told Interfax on Friday night.

He also noted that YABLOKO will not hold street actions against the law in the nearest time.

"Everyone may be sentenced to a slave labour or a huge fine from now on. I can not call people to come to a rally realizing that they can be sent to the galleys from there," the oppositional politician added.

Yabloko Leader Gets Arrested in a Peaceful Walking Protest
LI News Bulletin, Issue 286, June 8, 2012

In an unprecedented turn of events, Yabloko (LI full-member) leader Sergei Mitrokhin, along with 12 activists, was arrested by the police in a peaceful walking protest against the recently proposed controversial 'law on rallies.' All of the activists wore T-shirts with the slogan of the action 'The Law On 'Rallies' is a way to a fascist state.' The law in question will increase fines on demonstrators who violate public order. Mitrokhin was detained in a separate room and his lawyer was not allowed to visit him or be present for the interrogations by the state police. According to Mitrokhin, the amendments into the law on rallies and the Administrative Offences Code adopted recently by the State Duma are installing a dictatorship in the country. 'Today the government has signed a verdict for itself. If the protest cannot be expressed by peaceful and legal means, then it will find a way out through other means,' said Mitrokhin. Yabloko's International Officer Olga Radayeva called the arrests 'absurd' and urged for the immediate release of the party's leader and activists.

Official Russian human rights bodies condemn the new law on rallies

Based on Interfax reports, June 7, 2012.

Russian Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin called for the new law on rallies to be sent back to the State Duma Committee for revision, while the Council for Human Rights under the Russian President published an expert assessment saying that the law violates Russian Constitution, Interfax reported on June 7.

According to Lukin, "the study of the law has shown that the document is hasty and contradictory, lacking a strict concept or clear criteria." "Instead of developing the procedure for agreeing the terms of public events and increasing the responsibility of officials for declining to agree, the focus is on proscriptive and prescriptive measures," the statement goes on. It warns that this is "likely to lead to a rise in the number of un-agreed, radical and sometimes extremist rallies", while the widely expected future convictions of rally organisers will "rightly be seen by citizens as unlawful and sometimes repressive"...

Picketing against toughening of the law on rallies took place in Novosibirsk

Press Service by the Novosibirsk branch of YABLOKO, June 7, 2012.
The Novosibirsk regional branch of YABLOKO oraganised a one-person picket (which does not require prior notification or obtaining a permission from the authorities) against toughening of the law on rallies stipulating sharp raising of fines for violations at rallies and demonstrations. About ten activists participated in picketing changing each other in turn for several hours in the centre of the city.

Police stopped the procession to the monument to Pushkin because of the T-shirts with protest slogans

Press Release, June 6, 2012.

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin and 12 activists of a protest action by the walls of the Kremlin were arrested only because they refused to obey the police order to take off their T-shirts. For 40 minutes of YABLOKO’s and other civil society activists were walking in Manezhnaya Square in white T-shirts with inscriptions "The law on rallies is the way to a fascist state". And only when Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to walk along Tverskaya Street to the monument to famous Russian poet Pushkin, the police asked the activists to take off the T-shirts and on hearing refuses the police began detentions...

Arrests of protesters have begun at Manaezhnaya Square, Moscow

Press Release, June 6, 2012.

Arrests of protesters have begun at Manaezhnaya Square in the centre Moscow. YABLOKO activists planned to begin a protest action in the Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin wall, however, it was “suddenly” closed an hour before the action. Therefore it was decided to protest at the Manegnaya Square nearby.

All the activists wearing T-shirts with the slogan of the action “The Law “On Rallies” is a way to a fascist state.”

Sergei Mitrokhin and 11 activists (four girls among them) were taken by police to the patrol wagons...

Activists protesting against the law on rallies arrested in Volgograd

Press Service by the Volgograd branch of YABLOKO, June 6, 2012.

People gathered by the President’s reception office in Volgograd at 2 p.m. today. The participants of the gathering were protesting against the adoption of the law on rallies and were trying to get into Vladimir Putin’s reception office so that to hand in a petition proposing that the President should veto the bill passed by the State Duma yesterday. The police arrested six people: Nikolai Belikov, Sergey Mazanov, Boris Stikhin, Artyom Panenko, Yulia Vlasenko and Leonid Makhinya. Some of them were YABLOKO members other represented public movement "For Fair Elections" and independent media...

Pickets against the law raising fines for rallies has taken place by the Federation Council

Press Release, Photos, Video. June 6, 2012.

According to YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin, the amendments into the law on rallies and the Administrative Offences Code adopted yesterday by the State Duma and proved by the upper chamber of the parliament – the Federation Council – today are installing dictatorship in the country. Mitrokhin has made such a statement today by the Federation Council. Today YABLOKO has conducted a series of one-person pickets (that do not require a permission from the authorities) against the adoption of the such amendments.
Activists of the Youth YABLOKO, Sergei Sokolov, municipal deputy from the YABLOKO party, and Sergei Mitrokhin stood in turn by the main entrance to the Federation Council with a placard “The law on rallies is a way towards a fascist state!” The placard also pictured portraits of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Heinrich Himmler, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Lavrenty Beria and Vladimir Putin approving the new law. “Fascists are for it! KGB people are for it!” ran the placard...

Restrictions on freedom of assembly in Russia upset European liberals
ALDE-PACE, Statement, June 6, 2012

6.06.2012 Ahead of new opposition protests scheduled for next week, around 20 activists, including Mr Mitrokhin, leader of Yabloko, protesting against a bill toughening responsibility for organisation of and participation in mass rallies were arrested yesterday in Moscow.

The new law has been approved by the Russian Parliament and is awaiting promulgation by President Putin. The bill punishes organisers and participants of any mass public gathering - even those lacking formal attributes of a political protest - for any acts that perturb the circulation of pedestrians or vehicles, drastically raising fines from max. 5000 rubles (120 €) to max. 300000 rubles (over 7000 €).

"Participation in mass rallies cannot be the privilege of the rich. The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly will certainly be informed of these worrying developments in Russia. President Putin has the right not to sign the bill. And I sincerely hope that he will use this right, taking account of the criticism voiced by lawyers, civil society and opposition parties, as well as the demands to engage into public consultations. Another mechanism available to all member states of the Council of Europe is the legal opinions of the Venice Commission. In order to avoid the violation of Council of Europe standards, it would be appropriate if the Russian authorities requested such an opinion on the draft law before it comes into force," said Anne Brasseur, President of ALDE-PACE.

Russian law to increase fines on demonstrators should be dropped, say PACE co-rapporteurs
PACE, Statement, June 6, 2012

Strasbourg, 06.06.2012 – The co-rapporteurs for Russia of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Andi Gross (Switzerland, SOC) and György Frunda (Romania, EPP/CD) today expressed their serious concern at the adoption by the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament of a controversial bill designed to increase fines for orchestrating unauthorised demonstrations. They called on the upper chamber – which is due to debate the draft law today – to reject it and called on the President not to sign it into law.

The law provides that organisers of unsanctioned protests can be charged up to the equivalent of 39,000 euros and participants up to 13,000 euros.

“This measure would undermine freedom of expression and freedom of assembly,” said the co-rapporteurs. “It would symbolise a lost opportunity to strengthen the democratic process in the Russian Federation as it would close the window of opportunity opened in the last six months following the massive demonstrations by the Russian population. The dynamic activity of society should be used to implement reforms instead of being suppressed.”

The co-rapporteurs said that in their view fines of a considerably lower value may be imposed on the organisers of authorised demonstrations or individual participants in justified cases when the latter cause material damage or use violence, and they should always be decided by the courts. “There are well-established democratic standards in this respect, and they should be followed,” they said.

“The advantages of exercising the right to freedom of expression outweigh by far any possible disadvantages caused by those who abuse this right. These advantages considerably contribute to the development of a pluralistic and democratic society,” the co-rapporteurs concluded.

Russian United Democratic Party leader Sergey Mitrokhin arrested as "a hooligan".

EU Reporter, June 5, 2012. Video.

By Anna Vvedenskaya
Today police have begun arrests among the participants of walking protests against adoption of the law restricting the constitutional right to assembly and protest. YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin, Galina Mikhalyova, Executive Secretary of YABLOKO s Political Committee, Kirill Gontcharov, leader of the Youth YABLOKO, Sergei Sokolov, municipal deputy from the YABLOKO party ??“ 18 people in total, nine of them are YABLOKO members - are arrested by the State Duma. The police have also used violence in arresting several civil activists. At present the police are going on detaining activists...
At this moment in time all of them are realised but the are faicing charges of "hooliganism"...

See the article at the EU Reporter web-site.

Liberals condemn heavy-handed police intervention against peaceful protesters in Russia
ELDR Press Release, June 5, 2012.

Sir Graham Watson MEP, President and Astrid Thors MP, Vice-President of the ELDR Party jointly voiced the concern of European Liberals about the arrests of ELDR member party Yabloko's activists and other civil society organisations protesting today against a further limitation of the right to assembly and to express your opinions freely.

This is particularly disappointing for European Liberals as this happens only one day after the EU-Russia Summit where President Vladimir Putin ironically informed the world that "everybody is walking freely now" who protested against the rules regulating mass protests.

"We do agree with European Council President Herman van Rompuy and Commission President José Manuel Barroso that we need to build closer relations with Russia, however, as a signatory to the Council of Europe, Russia must abide by European standards of democratic participation for its citizens if it wants to build a relationship based on shared values as much as on common interests."

It is not acceptable to fine people for exercising the fundamental right of assembly on grounds of disrupting public order as also reported by Human Rights Watch.

Russian crackdown on civilian protesters is a slap in the face for EU
Press Release, ALDE, June 5, 2012

Russian police earlier today arrested 18 civilian activists just outside the Russian State Duma, including Sergei Mitrokhin and a number of prominent Yabloko party members, who had assembled for a peaceful demonstration, ironically against a proposal for a law which seeks to enforce tough penalties on civil protesters. The incident occurred just one day after the EU-Russia summit in St Petersburg in which issues of democracy and human rights were kept off the agenda.

"This heavy-handed police intervention against peaceful protesters shows, with tragic clarity, that Putin now is trying to crush what remains of civil action. The promises of reforms from last winter's large-scale demonstrations were just smokescreens to secure his re-election" said Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the ALDE Group.

"The lack of any outcome from the EU-Russia summit on 3rd and 4th of June in St Petersburg shows that the EU needs a new policy for dealing with Russia, based on objective criticism and on an insistence that democratic standards and the rule of law must be respected before Russia can be regarded as a true strategic partner and move forward on issues like visa free travel"

"The new legislative proposal that calls for excessive sanctions against all protesters and today's arrest of Sergei Mitrokhin and others are clear signs that the Kremlin does not take into the account the large scale internal and external criticism over the lack of democracy and rule of law in Russia. Just last weekend during the EU-Russia Summit, president Putin indicated that Russia is a country where everybody's civil rights are guaranteed. Unfortunately the reality continues to be different. Thus the EU will have to sharpen the way it deals with Russia and realize that the brutal reality is far from the marble halls and palaces President Putin likes to display for visiting EU delegations" said Kristiina Ojuland, ALDE Group spokesperson on Russia.

Russia: Reject Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly. Duma to Consider Big Fines for Public Gatherings

Human Rights Watch, June 4, 2012.

...The proposed amendments would significantly increase the fines for violating rules for holding public events and impose various other restrictions that will make it more difficult and costly for those opposed to government policies to engage in public protests, Human Rights Watch said. The proposed amendments increase the maximum penalty for individuals from 1000 rubles (US$60) to 300,000 rubles (US$9,000). Penalties for legal entities would reach a maximum of 1 million rubles (US$30,000)...

YABLOKO to continue protesting against adoption of the law raising penalties on rallies by the Federation Council and in Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin

Press Release, June 5, 2012.

The YABLOKO party will continue protesting against adoption of the law raising penalties on rallies by the Federation Council and in the Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin. Two actions will be held in Moscow tomorrow. At 11:00 activists of the Youth YABLOKO will hold a series of pickets by the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, which has to give its approval to the law. At 19:00 YABLOKO invites all the people to come to Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin wall so that to appeal to President Putin.

It is expected that tomorrow, on June 6, the Federation Council will consider amendments to the law on rallies and the Administrative Code, which have been adopted by the State Duma in the second and third reading today. At 11 a.m. Youth YABLOKO activists will come to the Federation Council so that to remind the senators: toughening of penalties for rallies is a way towards a fascist state. The activists will hold placards with portraits of dictators and torturers who would have supported the draft law initiated by the ruling United Russia party: fascists Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Heinrich Himmler, as well as KGB people Felix Dzerzhinsky, Lavrenty Beria and Vladimir Putin.

As there are not doubts that the Federation Council will, as usual, support the reactionary amendments, YABLOKO calls all the people to Alexander Gardens at 19:00 so that to appeal to President Vladimir Putin.

The action in the Alexander Gardens will take place without any political symbols and placards, so yet it does not require approvals from the authorities...

YABLOKO leader and 17 activists arrested by the State Duma

Press Release, June 5, 2012.

Police have begun arrests among the participants of walking protests against adoption of the law restricting the constitutional right to assembly and protest. YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin, Galina Mikhalyova, Executive Secretary of YABLOKO’s Political Committee, Kirill Gontcharov, leader of the Youth YABLOKO, Sergei Sokolov, municipal deputy from the YABLOKO party – 18 people in total, nine of them are YABLOKO members - are arrested by the State Duma. The police have also used violence in arresting several civil activists. At present the police are going on detaining activists...

...This YABLOKO’s action was supported by the Moscow branch of Solidarnost and number of other organisations. Earlier Sergei Mitrokhin had called the organizers and the participants of mass-scale protest actions to come to the State Duma on the day of hearing of the law and offer rebuff to such initiatives by the ruling party...

YABLOKO's Commission on Education and Children resumes work

Press Release, June 4, 2012.

On the International Children's Day, June 1, a joint meeting of YABLOKO's Commission on Education and Children under the Bureau of the party (which resumed work in May 2012) and Women's (Gender) Faction of YABLOKO took place in YABLOKO's office in Moscow.

The renovated Commission has considerably expanded its topics, adding new issues to already existing direction of work with orphanages, orphans and foster families.

Commission members and party activists discussed the key problems the party will work at in the field of education and protection of children. The meeting was monitored by Vyachslav Glinchikov, Commission Chair and famous educator, and Galina Mikhalyova, leader of YABLOKO's Women (Gender) Faction...

YABLOKO paid tribute to the victims of shooting in Novocherkassk in 1962

Press Release, June 2, 2012.

YABLOKO paid tribute to the victims of shooting in Novocherkassk which took place 50 years ago in 1962. Activists of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO brought flowers to the Solovetsky Stone by the KGB/Federal Security Service building in Lubyanka, Moscow.

On June 2, 1962, the Soviet interior forced shot peaceful demonstration of workers and other residents of Novocherkassk. According to the official data, 26 people were killed. They were secretly buried in other cities of the region. Later the court sentenced seven "organizers of mass disorders" to death and 105 people were sentenced to 10 – 15 years in maximum security penal colonies.

Workers protests took place after raising of retail prices on food-stuffs (a 25 per cent rise). Simultaneously the directorate of the plant raised the productivity standards for workers resulting in the reduction of their wages. The workers and residents of Novocherkassk went on a demonstration under the slogans "Meat!", "Bread!" and "Milk!"...

YABLOKO supported the rally against commercialisation of education and merger of Moscow schools

Press Release, June 1, 2012.

A mass rally against commercialisation of education and merger of Moscow schools was held in the centre of Moscow on the International Children's Day, June 1. About 400 people – teachers, parents, students, initiative groups of parents, schools and kindergartens, as well as museums and libraries workers – participated in the rally. The organizers of the rally were Trade Union Teacher, Public Council "In Protection of the Education Sphere in Moscow", an initiative group of students and staff from the Moscow State University, the Moscow Parents movement and the OkkupaiMoskva movement.

Olga Vlasova, member of YABLOKO Bureau, post-graduate of the Moscow State University and member of the Coordination Council Against Merger of Moscow Schools, made a speech at the rally on behalf of the party. She noted in her speech that "fraud had already come to schools"...

No to cutting of a city garden under construction of a new parliament’s building!

Statement by the Moscow branch of the YABLOKO party, June 1, 2012.

The State Duma Commission on construction of a new parliament’s center announced the plans to cut apple-trees garden at Kutusovsky prospect in the centre of Moscow under a construction site.

YABLOKO together with the residents of this Moscow district have repeatedly repulsed the attacks on this old unique garden in Moscow.

The intentions of the Duma deputies once again demonstrate that they are ready to eliminate gardens and parks worsening living conditions of Muscovites or take children’s playgrounds for the sake of their own comfort.

The Moscow Regional Branch of YABLOKO states that it and the citizens will spare no effort so that to defend the apple garden from the deputies...

Irish endorsement of Fiscal Treaty an important step in restoring confidence in Europe's economy
Press Release, ALDE, June 1, 2012

Early indications show that the Irish people have backed the European Stability Treaty in a nation-wide referendum held yesterday. ALDE welcome this result underlining that the significance of an Irish "Yes" cannot be underestimated. Saying "No" would have lowered Ireland's credibility in the financial markets and have cut Ireland off from ESM funds which would have been disastrous...

Let us protect Article 31 on the freedom of assembly of the Constitution on June 5!

Open letter by YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin to organisers and participants of street protests, May 31, 2012

To organisers and participants of street protests
at Bolotnaya, Sakharov and Pushkin Squares, Chistiye Prudi, Novy Arbat, the participants of the movements “Strategy 31”, “The White Ribbon”, “March of the Millions” and other protest actions: Boris Akunin, Dmitry Bykov, Genadi Gudkov, Dmitry Gudkov,
Eduard Limonov, Alexei Navalny, Sergei Parkhomenko, Vladimir Ryzhkov,
Lev Ponomarev, Sergei Udaltsov, Yugenia Chirikova and others

Today, on May 31, the day when actions in protection of Article 31 of the Constitution guaranteeing RF citizens the right to assemble peacefully, without weapons, hold rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets are normally held [in Russia].

On this day, I am turning to you calling you to pay very close attention to the amendments prepared by the State Duma to the Administrative Offences Code and Federal Law No 54 "On Assemblies, Rallies, Demonstrations, Processions and Pickets". These amendments are prohibitive and maximally limit the constitutional right of citizens to protests.

Not only do they set high penalties [for the rallies], but also make any form of street activity impossible and broaden the possibilities for abuse by the police providing grounds for absurd accusations...