Sergei Kovalev addresses the European Parliament after accepting the Sakharov Prize. Strasbourg, 16 December 2009

hro.org, December 18, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Memorial organisation, I would like to thank the European Parliament for its high accolade – the Sakharov Prize.

We at Memorial see this award as relating not only to our organisation. We take the view that, through us, the prize is being bestowed on the whole human rights community in Russia, and indeed more widely – on the entire section of Russian civil society sympathetic towards defenders of human rights. For forty years now – first in the Soviet Union and then in Russia – human rights defenders have been standing up for ‘European’, that is to say, universal values. This struggle has never been easy; in recent years it has become tragic, as it increasingly claims the lives of the best, the most active and the most fearless.

I am sure that, in awarding the Sakharov Prize to the Memorial organisation, the European Parliament had them in mind, first and foremost – our dead friends, comrades-in-arms, kindred spirits. This prize belongs by right to them. And the first name I should cite is that of Natalya Estemirova, human rights defender and fellow member of Memorial, murdered this summer in Chechnya.

I cannot go on without mentioning other names too: the lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalists Anna Politkovskaya and Anastasia Baburova, murdered in Moscow, ethnologist Nikolai Girenko shot in St Petersburg, Farid Babayev, murdered in Dagestan, and many others – sadly, it is a list that could go on for a long time. I ask you to honour the memory of these people by standing.

The murderers of Farid Babayev, the leader of the Dagestan branch of YABLOKO, can be released

Press Release, December 25, 2009

The relatives of leader of Dagestan YABLOKO and human rights activist Farid Babayev murdered in 2007, expressed their concern that the defendants had been ruining the case and that the killers would get freedom soon. The key witness of the plaintiffs who had seen the killer suddenly retracted his testimony.

On January 20, 2009, the Supreme Court of Dagestan ruled out that Rasil Mamedrizayev, a citizen of Dagestan, was guilty of murder and sentenced him to 16 years of imprisonment. The second of the culprits Seferali Sefemerzoyev accused of complicity in the murder was acquitted.The plaintiffs appealed this decision in the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. The barrister of Mamedrizayev also appealed the decision demanding acquittal for his client. On June 4, 2009, the Supreme Court of Russia abrogated the previous decision and send the case to the Supreme Court of Dagestan to a new trial by a new composition of the court.

The only witness who gave testimony in the case under a fictitious name of Telman Akayev had seen the murderer running from the site of the crime with a gun in his hand. The witness memorized the face of the killer and pointed at Mamedrizayev during the investigation. Akayev confirmed his testimony at one of the trials standing behind the screen. After that the barrister of the accused Suleiman Azuyev threatened the witness stating that he and his relatives are well-known to the defendants. Despite multiple applications to the court the Investigation Committee of the Public Prosecutor’s Office failed to provide steadfast protection to the witness. The witness missed several sessions of the court and later there emerged information that he left for Uzbekistan together with his family.

On anti-ecological policies of Russia’s authorities

Resolution of the 15th congress of the YABLOKO party No 253, December 24, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO regards the supreme goal of a democratic state as ensuring of flourishing of the country, the well-fare and the highest living standards for the citizens. One of the most important functions of the government is ensuring of ecological safety of the citizens and protection of nature as a national resource which is regarded as a public asset.
The political and economic system of modern Russia, its supreme political and economic administration grossly violates the principles of ecological policies determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation: the rights of the citizens to a friendly environment, reliable information on its condition, recovering of the damage incurred in ecological violations, rational use and protection of natural resources and careful attitude to the natural riches that should be regarded as a foundation for life and performance of the citizens.
1. The policies of Boris Yeltsin – Vladimir Putin – Dmitry Medvedev created a system of underdeveloped periphery capitalism in Russia almost entirely basing on the maintenance and development of environmentally unfriendly productions left from the Soviet times. Neither the government nor business merging with the authorities pay any serious attention to the safe environment, as it is connected with reduction of their super profits. Consequently, Russia logically and inevitably has found itself on the periphery of rapidly developing innovative world.

Initiators of the referendum on Okhta-Centre to appeal St.Petersburg parliament’s ban on the referendum in court

Press release, December 24, 2009

Initiators of a referendum on Okhta-Centre to appeal St.Petersburg parliament’s ban on the referendum in court. This announcement was made by Chair of St.Petersburg YABLOKO and one of organisers of the referendum Maxim Reznik at the Ekho Moskvi radio station.

“This time the Legislative Assembly of St.Petersburg demonstrated absolute absence of any respect to the city dwellers saying that the legislators can not give a definition what a historical outlook of St.Petersburg is. But I am certain that shall find counter-measures against another slap on the face as regards the citizens,” Reznik said.

On the situation in the Northern Caucasus

Resolution of the 15th congress of the YABLOKO party No 252, December 24, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO once again expresses its deep concern on the political and economic situation in the Northern Caucasus.

Despite victorious reports on stabilisation of the situation in the Northern Caucasus the policies of the Russian authorities completely failed. Escalation of armed conflicts has been going on, clan-authoritarian developments and corruption has continued to grow in this region.

Mass-scale violations of human rights by the interior and law-enforcement agencies do not cease, Russian laws are not observed and high level of unemployment and economic retardness has been still preserved. Kidnapping and murders, first of all of human rights activists, in the Northern Caucasus have already become a norm. Farid Babayev, Natalya Estemirova, the spouses Sadulayev, Magomed Yevloyev and other renown human rights activists and descendants were murdered in the recent years.

We are greatly concerned that the killers and those who ordered these loud political murders have not been found yet, or, like in the case with Magomed Yevloyev, they manage to avoid just punishment.

Despite a moratorium on capital punishment, extrajudicial executions have been implemented in Russia, Ingushetia, Chechnya, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachayevo-Cherkessia.

Deputy head of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO Eugeni Bunimovich becomes Ombudsman for Children in Moscow

Press release, December 21, 2009

Deputy head of the Moscow branch of YABLOKO Eugeni Bunimovich was appointed Ombudsman for Children in Moscow. The corresponding order was signed by Moscow Ombudsman Alexander Muzikansky.

“I find this post very important, as I as well as any other person realise what should be done here,” Bunimovich told to the Interfax news agency.

Bunimovich also noted that the post of Moscow Ombudsman for Children’s Rights is quite independent in the administration of the Moscow Ombudsman. Speaking about his plans Bunimovich told that “he is not the Plenary Meeting of the Communist Party of the USSR to make definite plans”, he “will first examine what problems and complaints people have and only after that will make plans.”

However, Bunimovich noted that he would pay special attention to children’s risk groups – orphans, neglected children and other, as well as legal education in the field of human rights for children and grown-ups. “Grown-ups often do not understand what is a violation of child’s rights or, for example, humiliation”, he noted.

YABLOKO’s Congress proposes an alternative

Press release, December 21, 2009

The second session of the 15th Congress of the YABLOKO party took place on December 19-20, 2009.

YABLOKO’s Chairman Sergei Mitrokhin opened the Congress with a report on organisational tasks of the party. He called the Congress to concentrate on the tasks of the coming elections to the State Duma focusing attention on the control over elections at all the stages. Also by-elections to the Bureau took place on the first Congress day.

Reports of the political leaders of the party were on the Congress agenda on the second day.

“The regional elections we had in October 2009 demonstrated that degradation of the Russian political system shifted to a new stage,” Mitrokhin said. According to Mitrokhin, the country has been returning to the initial point of late 1980s – early 1990s, the point of passive social dissatisfaction under the conditions of authoritative power.

“The democratic project is over, the society turned it down,” such was Mitrokhin’s conclusion. He called the delegates of the Congress to review the basic approaches which discredited democracy in the eyes of the majority and launch a broad-scale discussion in the society which should lead to formation of a new democratic project for Russia.

Grigory Yavlinsky, member of YABLOKO’s Political Committee, made a detailed report on the political situation in the country and the tasks of the party.

According to Yavlinsky, “Russia’s political system has stopped being imitational as nobody believes in imitation any more.” “If the citizens of the country do not believe that they are choosing the authority, this means that both the President and the Government, and the Parliament put themselves in a very unstable position,” he said.

Propaganda of Stalinism should be prohibited

Press release, December 21, 2009

“Propaganda of Stalinism should be prohibited,” such a statement was made by YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin in view of celebration of Joseph Stalin’s birthday conducted by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and a number of other political organisations.

“Today’s celebration [of the 130th anniversary] of the executioner of the Russian people and other nations of the former USSR represents a fest on the blood of the murdered and those tortured to death, a witless joy about the national catastrophe of 1920-1930s,” Mitrokhin said.

Mitrokhin expressed his certainly that “Stalin was responsible for the death of the best people of the Russian nation.” “The CPRF and other political organisations that are making this blasphemous celebration are demonstrating the hypocrisy of their statements in favour of protection of the rights of the working people, as their idol Stalin eliminated millions of working people,” Mitrokhin stressed.

Mitrokhin also proposed to immediately ban propaganda of Nazism and Stalinism.

YABLOKO’s Congress to open on December 20

Press release, December 18, 2009

The official opening of the Congress, political reports of the party leaders and a press briefing will take place on Sunday, December 20 (starting at 11:00 a.m.).

The Congress will take place in the Research and Methodology Centre in the Moskovskiy City, Leninsky District, Moscow Region.

Press release, December 18, 2009

On Monday, December 21, YABLOKO will participate in a round table discussion “The Problems of the Russian Science. Academic and Pedagogical Staff for Russia’s Innovations”.

Representatives of the Russian academic and expert communities, corresponding governmental agencies and departments and the Right Cause party will participate in the discussion. YABLOKO will be represented by Eugeni Bunimovich, Deputy Chair of the Moscow branch of the party and Chair of the Moscow Duma Education and Science Commission in 2005-2009, and Alexander Shishlov. Member of the YABLOKO Bureau, Chair of the State Duma Education and Science Committee in 2002-2003.

Public Prosecutor to investigate the case of young YABLOKO’s activist expelled from the university

Press release, December 17, 2009

Chairman of the YABLOKO party Sergei Mitrokhin demanded that Anton Zhebrun, young YABLOKO activist expelled from the Omsk University, should be allowed to resume his studies in the university. Such a claim was sent by Sergei Mitrokhin to Public Prosecutor of the Omsk Region and the head of the Education Control Agency.

YABLOKO connects expelling of the student with his public activities, as he is one of the leaders of the Omsk Youth YABLOKO.

Russian human rights activists get Andrei Sakharov Prize

Kommersant-Online, December 16, 2009

A solemn ceremony of awarding the Sakharov Prize took place at the session of the European Parliament in Strasburg on December 16. The laureates of the prize were Russian human rights activists Ludmila Alexeyeva, Sergei Kovalyov and Oleg Orlov. Human rights activists called the European legislators “not to turn a deaf ear” to Russian lawlessness, and President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek expressed his hope that the murderers of Anna Politkovskaya and Natalya Estemirova will be hold for court.

European legislators welcomed the laureates with a storm of applause. Sergei Kovalyov in his speech expressed his gratitude to the European Parliament for a warm welcome, and asked the audience to hold a minute of silence in memory of Natalya Estemirova, human rights activist from the Memorial human rights centre, killed in Chechnya in July 2009. “Europe should not keep silence when human rights are violated in Russia,” Kovalyov said. President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek in his turn expressed his hope that the prize will encourage human rights activists to continue their fight against lawlessness and protect the values that “we have been promoting – freedom and democracy”.

On the death of Yegor Gaidar

Condolences from Sergei Mitrokhin and Grigory Yavlinsky,

December 16, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO conveys our deep condolences to the next-of-kin, friends and colleagues of Yegor Timurovich Gaidar.

His death is a great loss for all of us. We held different views on many issues in politics, economy and domestic situation in the country. However, Yegor Gaidar played a significant and non-simple role in Russia’s history.

His death is also a loss for the academic science and academic community. As a scholar Yegor Gaidar has made a lot for evaluation of the changes that have been taking place in Russia’s economy for the past 20 years and understanding what should be done in the future.

Sincerely,
Sergei Mitrokhin

***

I am expressing my deep condolences in connection with the death of Yegor Gaidar. He took up the responsibility for the future of the country when almost nobody knew what to do. The history of new Russia will be always linked with the name of Yegor Gaidar.

Sincerely,
Grigory Yavlinsky

YABLOKO begins election marathon in Khabarovsk

Press release, December 16, 2009

The Khabarovsk branch of YABLOKO nominated three candidates to run in the election campaign for the regional Legislative Assembly. Yesterday the conference of the regional YABLOKO branch elected three candidates to run in single-mandate electoral districts in Khabarovsk and Amursk.

Verhofstadt launches Liberal & Democrat strategic priorities for new Commission

ALDE press release, December 15, 2009

Addressing journalists today in Strasbourg, ALDE group leader, Guy Verhofstadt, presented the strategic priorities of the Liberals and Democrats for the incoming members of the European Commission who face a series of hearings in January before being approved.

"We need more ambition and a more efficient Union," said Verhofstadt. "The next five years will be critical and the current economic and environmental situation requires a fundamental rethink of how we structure our economy and our society."

The ALDE group believes the EU should focus its efforts on five broad priorities:
1. tackling the economic and financial crisis,
2. tackling climate change,
3. fighting for freedom and fundamental rights,
4. rethinking the EU budget and system of own resources
5. promoting a coherent strategy in foreign affairs.

Each of the commissioners designate will have important individual responsibilities for the development of these policies. The hearings in January will therefore be a crucial test of the Commission's commitment to an ambitious and effective policy agenda.

The ALDE strategy document therefore addresses specific policy priorities towards each new commissioner as they prepare for the parliamentary approval process.

READ MORE

The first hearing at the Kuntsevsky District Court, Moscow, on election fraud

Press Release, December 15, 2009

Today, on December 15, the Kuntsevsky District Court, Moscow, conducted the first hearing on the case on abrogation of the results of the elections and recount of the votes at electoral district No 2488, where United Russia obtained 303 votes by means of fraud. The only witness – deputy head of the electoral commission – told that he found valid ballots in the pack of invalidated ballots.

This is already the third court out of ten Moscow courts, where YABLOKO tries to cancel the results of the elections of October 11 due to considerable discrepancies between the observers’ protocols and the official data.

MK newspaper turns 90 years!

December 15, 2009

Dear friends,

I am glad to send my congratulations to the MK paper on this honorable anniversary!

You write about the issues that are interesting to all of us and in such a way you consider proper to write about this. Your style is always up-to-date and is always easy to recognize.

Despite your age you are always young, because you are talented!

I am wishing to you to preserve all the best you have accumulated for all these years and further broaden your audience.

Always yours,
Sergei Mitrokhin
Chairman of the YABLOKO party

YABLOKO to suit United Russia in Kuntsevsky District Court

Press Release, December 14, 2009

Tomorrow on December 15 at 11.00 a.m. Kuntsevsky District Court, Moscow, will hear the case on abrogation of the results of the elections and recount of the votes at electoral district No 2488, where United Russia obtained 303 votes by means of fraud.

The YABLOKO party bases its suit on the discrepancies between the observers’ protocols and the official data...

The address of the Kuntsevsky District Court: Molodyozhnaya metro station, Yartsevskaya ul., 12. Judge E.Yu.Mareyeva, hall No 419.

The Youth YABLOKO organisation in St.Petersburg conducted an action on the Constitution Day

zaks.ru, December 14, 2009

According to the zaks.ru correspondent, the Youth YABLOKO organisation in St.Petersburg conducted an action devoted to the Constitution Day. Today the activists decided to conduct a theatrical action.

One of the YABLOKO’s activists wearing a mask of RF President Dmitry Medvedev publicly introduced amendments into the articles of the Constitution written on placards.

YABLOKO participated in a rally under the slogan “United Russia Must Leave!”

Press Release, December 13, 2009

A coalition of parties and movements in the Kaliningrad region expressed their dissatisfaction with the work of the Governor of the Kaliningrad Region.

The Constitution Day of December 12 was marked by a rally which gathered 5,000 people. The participants of the rally expressed their negative attitude to the policies of the ruling party and the leaders of the region and of the Russian Federation.

The trigger for public dissatisfaction was raising of the transport tax adopted by the regional parliament. It was an unprecented mass-scale action in the centre of Kaliningrad. All the parties and movements in of the region – the CPRF, Just Russia, the LDPR, YABLOKO, Solidarity, Patriots of Russia, Spravedlivost (Justice) and other – joined in the rally against the progovernmental United Russia party.

Grigory Yavlinsky met with the students of the Evening Party University

Press Release, December 11, 2009

On December 9, 2009, the Evening University of the YABLOKO party organised a meeting for its students with Dr. Grigory Yavlinsky, the founder of the party and member of the Political Committee.

Answering the questions of YABLOKO’s members and advocates on the present economic, political and social situation in Russia, elections, Russia’s relations with other countries, etc. Grigory Yavlinsky noted that a qualitatively new situation developed in Russia after the elections of October 11. “No one believes words about democracy in the country any more after such elections.” Yavlinsky also noted that the policies of the Russian authorities were unsuccessful. “The authorities should realise that they do not have the strength to modernise Russia, this means that the opposition and other citizens get a chance,” Yavlinsky said.

Liberal International News, Issue 164

December 11, 2009

In Memoriam: Otto Graf Lambsdorff
Saturday December 5th, Honorary President of Liberal International Otto Graf Lambsdorff suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 82. Dr. Otto Graf Lambsdorff was President of Liberal International from 1991-1994. He was Liberal International's Honorary President since June 1996. In 1951 he became member of the FDP and in 1972 a Member the German Bundestag. He was Minister of Economics in several cabinets under Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and Chancellor Helmut Kohl from 1977 to June 1984, when he resigned as Federal Minister of Economics. From 1984 until 1988 he was the Parliamentary Spokesman on Economic Affairs, and afterwards was the leader of the FDP until 1993. LI President Hans van Baalen described Lambsdorff as one of the most inspiring liberal politicians of the past century and as a courageous statesman who was one of the architects of post War Germany. 'He was one of the most open, direct and when necessary bold political fighters for a free market economy and civil liberties'. The entire In Memoriam can be found at the following link. Liberal International also started an online book of condoleance, which can be found here.

On the death of Otto Graf Lambsdorff

Condolences from the YABLOKO party

December 11, 2009

On behalf of the Rssian Democratic Party YABLOKO we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the friends and colleagues, the spouse and next-of-kin of Count Otto Graf Lambsdorff.

An advocate of the German social market economy Otto Graf Lambsdorff was an outstanding political figure who influenced and largely formed the German history in the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.

Human rights activists Natalya Estemirova and Maksharip Aushev awarded medals post mortem

ombudsman.gov.ru, December 9, 2009

On December 8, 2009, the award ceremony of the Russian Ombudsman Medal “Hurry Up to Make Good Deeds” took place in Moscow. Human rights activists Natalya Estemirova and Maksharip Aushev awarded medals post mortem.

Both were members of the Expert Council with the Ombudsman of the Russian Federation. Natalya Estemirova had been investigating abdications of civilians, executions and tortures since the First Chechen War. She worked in the Memorial human rights centre. Maksharip Aushev actively engaged in the protection of human rights after his son and nephew abdicated in Grozny in 2007 had been released.

Liberal International Newsletter - Special Edition - Human Rights Day 2009

LI News, Issue 159, November 11, 2009

World Liberal Leaders Commemorate Human Rights Day
Human Rights News from around the world...
LI President: Belarus is the black hole of Europe
Anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda sparks concerns and condemnation
Land grabbing continues to be a serious problem in Cambodia
International community concerns the detention of Chinese democracy activists
YABLOKO continues to fight election results

World Liberal Leaders Commemorate Human Rights Day
On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2009, liberal leaders worldwide share their comments on this auspicious and important day. They include, LI President Hans van Baalen, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Finland), Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Oloffsson, Deputy Prime Minister of Beligum Didier Reynders, ALDE leader Guy Verhofstadt, Mark Rutte (VVD-Netherlands), Ahmed Dogan (MRF-Bulgaria), Tsai Ing-Wen (DPP-Taiwan), Sam Rainsy (Cambodia), Chee Soon Juan (SDP-Singapore), Martin Lee (Hong Kong), U Bo Thaung (NLDLA-Burma), Kamal Nissanka (LP-Sri Lanka), Nick Clegg (LibDems - UK), Alexander Pechtold (D66-Netherlands), Lamija Tanovic (LDP-Bosnia-Herzegovina), Koh Tsu Koon (Gerakan-Malaysia), Sergei Mitrokhin (Yabloko-Russia)

- Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of the YABLOKO party, Russia

The situation with human rights have rapidly aggravated in Russia throughout 2009. This year have seen more murders of human rights activists and lawyers: Natalya Estemirova was murdered in the Caucasus and in Stanislav Markelov and Anastasiya Baburova in Moscow. Violence and threats from unknown persons against activists of non-profit organizations and trade unions turned into a routine method of silencing people. Governments do not give their permission to conduct public protest actions; while unsanctioned protest actions are scattered. Universities in some of Russia’s regions make lists of “politically unreliable students” where they include all politically active students. This affected YABLOKO: our young activists from Penza were accused of extremism and searches were conducted in their homes, while another activist - a student – was expelled from the Omsk University. Two people from YABLOKO’s governing bodies (Vasily Popov from Karelia and Ivan Bolshakov from Moscow) were sentenced and put on probation on fabricated cases, and one person (Anatoly Nechayev, Ulyanovsk) has been still imprisoned also on a fabricated case.

READ MORE

Yabloko continues to fight election results

Liberal International Newsletter, December 10, 2009

In Russia, LI Full Member Yabloko continues its battle against alleged widespread fraud during last month's local elections. The Russian liberal party has filed a suit for cancellation of the results of the voting at two electoral districts in the Moscow area. According to official data ruling party United Russia obtained 1,002 votes more in those districts, than indicated in the protocols given to the observers. At a recent bureau meeting of Yabloko, party leader Sergei Mitrokhin, commented on the flawed outcome of the recent elections and the consequences for democracy in Russia: “It has become clear after voting on October 11 that elections as a legitimate institution which could be trusted by society has been completely ruined in Russia. This means that the democratic project of the country's development initiated in the late 1980s has been completely closed now — and not only by the ruling elite, but by society as well.”

READ MORE

Court rules out that a thousand of additional votes stuffed in for progovernmental United Russia is not a satisfactory motive for recount of the votes

Press Release, December 9, 2009

On December 8, 2009, the Perovo District Court of Moscow declined YABLOKO’s suit on annulment of the results of the voting at two polling stations in the Veshnyaki area where 1.002 votes had been simply added to the progovernmental United Russia party. At the previous hearings the key witness of YABLOKO – a member of the electoral commission with a casting vote – made a statement that her signature in the official protocol had been faked. Signatures of several other members of the district electoral commission had been either missing or faked...

YABLOKO asked the court to satisfy its claim as the Moscow and the local commissions failed to determine the will of the electorate. However, the judge turned down YABLOKO’s claim. YABLOKO is going to appeal this decision in a superior court.

This has become already the second decision when Moscow local courts were turning down YABLOKO’s suits. On December 3, 2009, the Golovinsky District Court refused to satisfy YABLOKO’s claims in connection with two districts in the Levoberezhny area where United Russia was simply added votes taken from other parties. The next trial will take place in the Kuntsevsky District Court.

YABLOKO has filed claims on 14 polling stations in 10 Moscow districts (see the schedule of trials).

YABLOKO to conduct a manifestation on the Constitution Day

Press Release, December 9, 2009

Manifestation under the slogan “Let Us Together Protect Our Rights” will take place in Ekaterinburg on the Constitution Day, December 12. The action will be organised by the YABLOKO party with support of public and human rights organisations.

Public figures, deputies of the legislative assemblies, human rights activists, writers, artists and musicians will participate in the manifestation. They will hold placards with quotation out of the Constitution.

“We participate all preserving their civil dignity and would like their civil rights to be respected to join us on December 12! Everyone can join us with his or her slogan. This will be a manifestation of those who really love their city and their Motherland,” said Maxim Petlin, the leader of the Sverdlovsk YABLOKO branch.

In support of YABLOKO’s activist Anton Zhebrun

Press Release, December 9, 2009

On December 9, 2009, the Kirov regional branch of YABLOKO, released a statement (signed by Tatyana Naumovich, Chair of YABLOKO’s Kirov branch) in support of YABLOKO’s activist Anton Zhebrun.

The Kirov party branch expresses its indignation on the fact of expelling Anton Zhebrun, activist of the Youth YABLOKO, from the Omsk State University under a faked pretext and considers such actions of Vladimir Strunin, the University rector, against YABLOKO’s member a political persecution.
This is a sad fact. It took place in the university; whereas the very word “university” is associated with academic freedom and the freedom of speech – freedom to ask, freedom to find truth on any phenomena and views, regardless of the fact whether such points of view hurt any officials or not. The notion of academic freedom is incompatible with the making political views a pretext for expelling from the university.

On the death of Pyotr Vail
Condolences by Grigory Yavlinsky
www.yavlinsky.ru
December 9, 2009

Dear friends,

Please receive our deep and sincere condolences regarding the passing of Pyotr Vail. Our hearts go out to Ella, all next-of-kin, friends and colleagues, and all the readers and listeners of Pyotr Lvovich.
The loss of Russian social and political journalism, aesthetics and prose, as well as journalism in general is incalculable. This is something that we can never retrieve and recover.
Pyotr was such a bright light, so open and inquisitive about all that life has to offer – in short he was a wonderful person.
He has left this world, but has granted us an opportunity to stay close to him through his books.

YABLOKO’s leader participated in the international conference in Cairo devoted to global democracy

Press Release, December 8, 2009

On December 7, 2009, YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin opened international conference Conceptualising Global Democracy conducted within the framework of Building Global Democracy Programme.

Scholars, politicians and officials from over 60 countries of all the regions of the world participating in the conference will discuss the prospects of democracy in a changing more global world. The honour to open a discussion was granted to YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin who was a discussant of the report Re-conceptualize Global Democracy from the Perspective of Chinese Culture made by Chinese scholars.

Sergei Mitrokhin marked a similarity of Russia’s and China’s problems. “In my opinion the authors are overestimating the national specifics and underestimate common democratic values. We can observe the same thing in Russia at present. The idea of a “sovereign democracy” has been actively promoted by the Russian authorities. It implies abolishing of democratic norms and values (that we have being observing) under the pretext of “Russia’s national specifics” or a “specific Russian way towards democracy”. “In our country this approach serves so that to justify multiple violations of basic democratic rules and procedures, election fraud, total dependency of the judicial authority on the executive authority, negligence of the parliament and reduction of its powers and uncontrolled powerful bureaucracy,” Mitrokhin said.

Environmentally unfriendly bulbs versus nuclear power stations?

Acad.Alexei Yablokov’s blog at the Echo Moskvi web-site

December 7, 2009

I was wondering why our government suddenly made a complete ban on incandescent electric bulbs its prime concern (Law of the RF No 261-FZ “On Energy Saving and Raising of Energy Efficiency and on Introduction of Changes into Some Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” of November 23, 2009).

And recently I have heard the news that Europe has been closing production of incandescent electric lamps of the first generation (luminescent, with mercury) – the very lamps that have to replace our incandescent electric bulbs. And these environmentally unfriendly productions are offered cheaply to those who would be eager to buy them. Let us make a simple calculation...

YABLOKO’s Political Committee: Russian state acts like an irresponsible business corporation conducting anti-environmental policies

Press Release, December 5, 2009

On December 5, 2009, YABLOKO’s Political Committee discussed the ecological policy of the government. The key report was made by Academician Alexei Yablokov, leader of the Green Russia faction. After a discussion the Committee adopted resolution “On the Anti-Environmental Policies of the Russian Authorities”.

On opening of the meeting the Political Committee commemorated the victims of the Nevsky Express railroad crash and the victims of the Perm nightclub fire by a one-minute silence.

Alexei Yablokov reported on a bad environmental situation in Russia dwelling on the most acute ecological problems and offered ways of their solution. According to the World Health Organisation, 493,000 people die annually in Russia because of ecological problems. Thus, life expectancy for men is only 59 years, which is 15 – 18 years less than in the USA and Japan. And it is even 3 – 4 years lower in the zones of environmental pollution (about 14% of the territory of the country).

YABLOKO’s Political Committee expresses condolences to the Perm night club fire victims

Press Release, December 5, 2009

YABLOKO’s Political Committee expresses condolences to the relatives and next-of-kin of the Perm night club fire victims.

Members of YABLOKO’s Political Committee commemorated the victims by a one-minute silence at the opening of the meeting.

YABLOKO wishes rapid recovery to all the survivors.

Chairs of local electoral commissions speak in favour of cancellation of the results of the elections in the Veshnyaki area, Moscow

Press Release, December 2, 2009

Yesterday on December 1, the Perovo district court conducted the second hearing on YABLOKO’s suit for cancellation of the results of the voting at two electoral districts in the Veshnyaki area, Moscow. According to official data United Russia obtained there by 1,002 votes more than indicated in the protocols given to the observers. The court heard the evidence of the chairs of these electoral commissions and rejected several motions by YABLOKO’s lawyers.

At the first hearings of the case Chair of the Territorial Electoral Commission Vera Stepanova presented to the court her version of the developments. She stated that the protocols given to the observers can not serve written evidence, as the said observers “created psychologically unbearable atmosphere” at the polling station on the election day - October 11, 2009, which “caused a great number of errors on behalf of the chairs and secretaries of the commission”.

Member of St.Petersburg YABLOKO branch Ekaterina Kolesova gets Artyom Borovik prize

Press Release, December 1, 2009

Member of St.Petersburg YABLOKO organisation Ekaterina Kolesova was awarded Artyom Borovik prize. This prize is awarded for achievements in the field of independent journalism and journalistic investigations.

Kolesova obtained her prize for the series of articles devoted to journalistic investigations in St.Petersburg’s Novaya Gazeta. “Everyone heard about the Major Yevsyukov case (Ed. the police officer who shot people in a large department store just because he allegedly “felt upset”, the head of the Moscow Police tried to protect Yevsyukov and was dismissed only after loud public discontent), we had had such case as early as in 2001: a policeman shot students”, Kolesova says.