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Rosbalt

Deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin: the adoption of the draft law on combating extremism will make it possible to fight both certain individuals and corresponding organisational structures

June 19, 2002

Five out of ten prefectures of Moscow administrative districts banned the YABLOKO party from organising pickets near metro stations on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the disaster Chernobyl nuclear power station. However, according to the YABLOKO press service, on April 25 and April 26 the party will distribute leaflets to about 100 metro stations, Deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin: the adoption of the draft law on combating extremism will make it possible to fight both certain individuals and corresponding organisational structures

The Yabloko faction in the State Duma thinks it necessary to adopt a law "On Combating Extremism" in view of the outbreak of extremism and signs pointing to the formation of an extremist underground in Russia," Sergei Mitrokhin, a member of the Yabloko faction in the State Duma, told journalists. According to Mitrokhin, the law “will make it possible to fight both individuals professing and popularising extremist ideas, but also corresponding organisational structures”

At the same time, Mitrokhin noted that the "draft law adopted in the first reading contains a number of norms which can serve as an instrument of suppression of constructive opposition to the present authorities." And the vagueness of a number of of the key phrases, including the term 'extremism' makes it possible to declare any organisation opposed to the authorities as 'illegal," stressed Sergei Mitrokhin.

When discussing the draft law in the second reading the Yabloko faction will propose a number of amendments to the Duma. In particular, it proposed deleting from the definition of extremism the words about declaring illegal actions aimed at hindering "the legal activity of the federal executive authorities, the executive authorities of subjects of the Russian Federation and local government." In addition, according to Yabloko suspended of the activity of public organisations suspected of extremism should be implemented only by decision of the Supreme Court.

Yabloko also thinks that the mention of "another state body" other than the Ministry of Justice, which would be called upon to check the appearance of extremist manifestations, should be deleted from the text. According to the Yabloko faction, these amendments to the draft law would prevent attempts to use this law as an instrument of political pressure, while retaining all the possibilities for an active fight against any manifestations of extremism. "In the first reading of the draft law the Yabloko faction voted for this law, rendering it conditional support, said Mitrokhin. - We think that the second reading will be principled and the voting of the faction will be consolidated in this case. Yabloko will support the law, if the most important amendments are introduced into the law."

See also:

YABLOKO Against Extremism

Press Release. June 19, 2002. The Yabloko faction will support the draft law "On Combating Extremist Activity" in the second reading if Yabloko's amendments to the draft law are adopted.

RIA "Novosti". June 20, 2002. The Yabloko faction of the State Duma: we need to pass a law against extremism

Rosbalt, June 19, 2002

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