[home page][map of the server][news of the server][forums][publications][Yabloko's Views]

The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO
Statement

On the virtual ban on referenda

Moscow, May 20, 2004

The Russian Democratic Party YABLOKO considers that a new version of the law on referenda constitutes an ongoing onslaught on the authorities against human rights.

By making the notification procedures more complex and necessitating the registration of initiative groups 45 times instead of once, associations of citizens that are independent from the authorities are deprived of any chances to appeal for a national vote.

According to the logic of the law "On Political Parties" and electoral legislation, parties that decide to conduct a referendum find themselves in a situation where they have to repeat registration procedures.

The adoption of such decisions in a situation where independent mass media at a federal level have been liquidated, elections have been transformed into an uncontrolled farce and parliament into an obedient tool of the authorities, reflects plans to completely "abolish" public opinion and place a barrier between the authorities and the public.

The motives of the authorities are clear: they fear inevitable public discontent over the de facto elimination of social support for citizens planned by the government, protests over increasing levels of corruption and bureaucratic arbitrary rule.

Even after passing this law through a suppliant Duma, its architects will still not be satisfied. They will lead the country to the planned final destination - a return to persecutions of people for independent-minded statements and views that have not been officially approved.

As YABLOKO believes that it is pointless to make an appeal to the majority in the State Duma, the party expresses its categorical opposition to the new law On Referenda and calls on all political and civil organisations that are independent of the authorities to speak out in defence of the rights of Russia's citizens to free speech.

 

See also:

Activities

Human Rights

Moscow, May 20, 2004

[home page][map of the server][news of the server][forums][publications][Yabloko's Views]

english@yabloko.ru
Project Director: Vyacheslav Erohin e-mail: admin@yabloko.ru Director: Olga Radayeva, e-mail: english@yabloko.ru
Administrator: Vlad Smirnov, e-mail: vladislav.smirnov@yabloko.ru