DOCSLIB.ORG

Xenophobia, Freedom of Conscience and Anti-Extremism in Russia in 2013

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Xenophobia, Freedom of Conscience and Anti-Extremism in Russia in 2013 SoVA CENTER FoR INFoRMATIoN AND ANALYSIS Xenophobia, Freedom of Conscience and Anti-Extremism in Russia in 2013 A collection of annual reports by the SoVA Center for Information and Analysis Moscow 2014 UDC 323.1(470+571)(082.1)”2013” Содержание BBC 66.094я43+66.3(2Рос),54я43 X44 X44 Xenophobia, Freedom of Conscience and Anti-Extremism in Russia in 2013: A collection of annual reports by the SoVA Center for Information and Analysis; Vera Alperovich, Natalia Yudina [Alperovich Vera, Sibireva Olga, Kravchenko Maria, Yudina Natalia / Ed. by Verkhovsky Alexander] – М.: SOVA Center, 2014. – 156 pp.: tables The Ultra-Right Shrugged: Xenophobia and Radical Nationalism in Russia, and Efforts to Counteract Them in 2013 ..................................................... 5 ISBN 978-5-98418-031-3 Criminal Manifestations of Racism and Xenophobia ............................. 7 This collection of reports summarizes all the major areas of work addressed by the SOVA Systematic Racist and Neo-Nazi Violence ................................7 Center for Information and Analysis in 2013, in a similar fashion to collections in previous years. There are three reports on themes which have become traditional for the SOVA Other Kinds of Right Radical Violence ...................................... 13 Center in this collection: The first report addresses radical nationalism and hate crime, Vandalism .................................................................................. 14 and the efforts of government and society to combat these phenomena. The second report addresses problems relating to freedom of conscience in contemporary Russia. The third Public Activity of Ultra-Right Radicals ............................................... 15 report addresses the misuse and abuse of ‘anti-extremism’ measures. The reports are updated versions of original texts on the SOVA Center website. Spin on Criminal Incidents and Rallies against “Ethic Crime” ... 15 The appendix provides details about hate crimes and the prosecution of such Anti-Immigrant Raids ................................................................ 24 crimes. All data were compiled at the end of January 2014. This translation of the published Russian text uses a modified Library of Congress Traditional Nationalist Actions ................................................... 28 system of transliteration for names and publications, except where there is an established alternative spelling (e.g. Yeltsin, not El’tsin, Yabloko, not Iabloko). Participation in the General Protest Movement ......................... 32 This collection was compiled and published with the support Party Building ............................................................................ 33 of the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). Participation in the Elections ..................................................... 35 We are also grateful for support from the Open Society Foundation (OSF), Norwegian Helsinki Counter-action to Radical Nationalism and Xenophobia .................... 37 Committee, “State Club” Foundation, and for the state support grants distributed by the Insti- Public Initiatives ........................................................................ 37 tute of Civil Society Problems per Decree no. 115-rp of the President of the Russian Federation, issued on 29 March 2013, and by Civil Dignity Movement per Decree no. 348-rp of the President Criminal Prosecution ................................................................ 39 of the Russian Federation, issued on 18 September 2013. Criminal Prosecution of Extremist Groups and Banned Organizations ......................................................... 47 The SOVA Center website, which includes publications and news, can be found at http://sova-center.ru The Federal List of Extremist Materials ..................................... 48 Design, cover design – N. Vinnik Banning of Organizations as Extremist ....................................... 51 Layout – М. Konkova Other Administrative Measures .................................................. 52 1 Подписано в печать 10 июня 2014 г. Формат 60х84 /16 Гарнитура Таймс Печать офсетная. Бумага офсетная. Уч.-изд. л. 9. Тираж – 200 экз. Заказ № ......... РОО Центр «Сова». Адрес для писем: 103982, Москва, Лучников пер., д.4, под.3, к.2. Olga Sibireva Телефон/факс:(495) 517-92-30. E-mail: [email protected]. Веб-сайт: http://sova-center.ru Типография Россельхозакадемии. 115598, Москва, ул. Ягодная, 12. Freedom of conscience in Russia: Restrictions and challenges in 2013 ....... 56 ISBN 978-5-98418-031-3 Summary ........................................................................................... 56 Legislation relating to religious organizations ...................................... 57 © Authors, 2014 – report texts © Vinnik N.V., 2014 – design Federal legislation ...................................................................... 57 9 785984 180313 Regional initiatives ..................................................................... 59 Vera Alperovich, Natalia Yudina Initiatives not successfully progressed in 2013 ............................. 60 Problems relating to places of worship ................................................. 62 Problems with the construction of religious buildings .................. 62 The Ultra-Right Shrugged: Xenophobia Problems with existing religious buildings ................................... 66 and Radical Nationalism in Russia, Preferential treatment accorded certain religious organizations by the authorities .......................................................................................... 67 and Efforts to Counteract Them in 2013 Defending believers’ feelings ............................................................... 71 Liquidation of religious organizations and denial of registration .................................................................... 74 Summary Discrimination against religious organizations and citizens on the basis of The results of 20131 are extremely disappointing for the Russian society as their attitude to religion ...................................................................... 78 a whole, and only nationalists have reasons to feel optimistic. Insufficient protection against defamation and attacks ........................ 82 The decline in street racist violence, which lasted from 2009 to 2012, evidently came to an end. The past year was characterized by a notable surge in ethnic violence, evident even to casual observers. A real persecution was unleashed against migrants Maria Kravchenko from Central Asia and the Caucasus. People suffered from organized attacks as well Inappropriate enforcement of as from casual xenophobic violence; weapons were used in some cases. In particular, anti-extremist legislation in Russia in 2013 ................................................ 86 there was an increase in the number of attacks on board of subway cars and suburban Summary ........................................................................................... 86 trains (“white cars”). In October, we witnessed unprecedented group raids against Creation of Regulatory Acts ................................................................ 88 Tajikistan-bound trains. Combined with increasingly frequent semi-legal raids by Major Trends in 2013 .......................................................................... 94 ultra-right groups against migrants’ places of residence and employment, these events create an overall atmosphere of violence. “Excessive Vigilance” ................................................................. 94 The number of local conflicts, which, with various degrees of success, The Internet and Anti-Extremism .............................................. 96 were fueled and/or publicly presented as “ethnic” by the ultra-right increase in Incidental Victims of Inappropriate Anti-Extremism .................. 99 2013. The most significant among such conflictswere the riots in Pugachev and Principal Targets of Persecution ........................................................101 Arzamas and the Moscow district of Biryulyovo. A large-scale anti-migrant campaign was initiated by the authorities back Religious Groups ......................................................................101 in the spring and intensified in the summer in the wake of the Pugachev events Political and Civic Activists ......................................................110 and in connection with the electoral campaign. Media Topics ............................................................................115 As a result, the statistics on ethnic intolerance and support for nationalist A Bit of Statistics ...............................................................................117 slogans in the mainstream society grew to unprecedented levels. These factors created a very favorable context for nationalists. Against this background, their initiative – a campaign for introducing the visa regime with Appendix. Crime and punishment statistics ..............................................121 the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and a series of rallies against “ethnic crime” – attracted a much greater public and media attention than 1 This report was prepared as part of the project, imlemented using the state support grants per Decree No. 115rp of the President of the Russian Federation, issued on March 29, 2013 6 Xenophobia, Freedom of Conscience and Anti-Extremism in Russia in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Russia Macro-Politics: Political Pragmatism Or, Economic Necessity
    The National Projects December 2019 Population and GDP (2020E data) The long and winding road Population 146.8 GDP, Nominal, US$ bln $1,781 Plans are worthless. Planning is essential” GDP/Capita, US$ $12,132 Dwight D. Eisenhower GDP/Capita, PPP, US$ $27,147 Source: World Bank, World-o-Meters, MA The National Projects (NP) are at the core of the Russian government’s efforts to pull the economy out of the current slump, National Projects - Spending* to create sustainable diversified long-term growth and to improve Rub, Bln US$ Bln lifestyle conditions in Russia. It is the key element of President Putin’s Human Capital 5,729 $88 effort to establish his legacy. Health 1,726 $27 Education 785 $12 We are now initiating coverage of the National Projects strategy. We Demographics 3,105 $48 will provide regular detailed updates about the progress in each of Culture 114 $2 the major project sectors, focusing especially on the opportunities Quality of Life 9,887 $152 Safer Roads 4,780 $74 for foreign investors and on the mechanisms for them to take part. Housing 1,066 $16 ▪ What is it? A US$390 billion program of public spending, designed Ecology 4,041 $62 to stimulate investment, build infrastructure and improve health Economic Growth 10,109 $156 and well-being by 2024, i.e. the end of the current presidential Science 636 $10 Small Business Development 482 $7 term. Digital Economy 1,635 $25 ▪ Is this a return to Soviet-style planning? For some of the NPs, Labour productivity 52 $1 Export Support 957 $15 especially those involving infrastructure, it certainly looks like it.
    [Show full text]
  • Global University Summit-2014 «Managing Global Risks, Managing the Future
    j With informational support by Global University Summit-2014 «Managing global risks, managing the future. The prognostic role of universities» Moscow, April 23-25th 2014 Global University Summit will be held within 2 days, on April 24-25th. The first day embraces the opening ceremony and 3 plenary sessions (all participants invited) while the second day will be devoted to section activities on the venues of 4 universities – MGIMO, Lomonosov Moscow State University, People’s Friendship University, National University of Science and Technology "MISiS". Russian and English are the working languages of the Summit. Wednesday, April 23th During Participants’ arrival in Moscow. Accomodation in Radisson Blu Belorusskaya and Novotel the day Moscow City Exhibition “Countries, cities, journeys” (MGIMO Chess club, MGIMO Conference Hall lobby) Exhibitions/presentation of Russian and foreign universities in MGIMO (MGIMO, New Building) 19:00 Transfer from Hotels to The Pashkov House 20:00 – Official reception on behalf of S. Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow 22:00 Presentation of a Report to Global University Summit-2014 participants: “Universities on the future. The future of universities”. Cultural and Exhibition Center “The Pashkov House”, Vozdvizhenka str. 3/5 - 1 22:00 Transfer to Hotels Thursday, April 24th All session are held at MGIMO Conference Hall, 76, Prospect Vernadskogo During Exhibition “Countries, cities, journeys” (MGIMO Chess club, MGIMO Conference Hall lobby) the day Exhibitions/presentation of Russian and foreign universities in MGIMO
    [Show full text]
  • Russia 2025: Resetting the Talent Balance
    Russia 2025: resetting the talent balance The Boston Consulting Group | 1 The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world’s leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with offices in more than 90 cities in 50 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com. Russia 2025: resetting the talent balance Prepared by: VLADISLAV BOUTENKO, Senior Partner and Managing Director KONSTANTIN POLUNIN, Partner and Managing Director IVAN KOTOV, Partner and Managing Director EKATERINA SYCHEVA, Principal ANTON STEPANENKO, Principal EUGENIA ZANINA, Associate SOFYA LOMP, Associate VITALY RUDENKO, Associate ELENA TOPOLSKAYA, Associate October 2017 | The Boston Consulting Group TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................5 INTRODUCTORY WORD ......................................................................................................6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014 the UK Programme
    UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014 The UK Programme “It is important to create opportunities and space for people to continue talking to one another, allowing them to explain what they want from each other. In this respect, cultural ties, and in particular Years of Culture, are a priceless tool allowing us, so to say, to keep the communication muscle toned.” Mikhail Shvydkoy, the President’s Special Envoy for International Cultural Co-operation Summary 1. The UK programme included 132 separate projects, involving a total of 178 UK and Russian institutions and partners. 2. This resulted in 343 events held in 13 cities. The majority (80%) were held in Moscow and St Petersburg. 3. The UK programme reached 12.35 million people, approximately 8.7% of the total population of Russia1, through live events, online and social media. 4. The programme sought to include both new work and fresh interpretations of the classics. The most popular among audiences included a programme of contemporary theatre and dance at the Chekhov Theatre Festival; exhibitions of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Aubrey Beardsley and Oscar Wilde; a multimedia exhibition, The Golden Age of Russian Avant-Garde, devised by Peter Greenaway; a programme of restored Hitchcock silent films from the BFI with new contemporary scores; the Barbican/Eon Productions exhibition Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style. 5. Media coverage obtained for the programme has been valued by an external agency2 at over £13 million. 6. It is estimated that it would have cost £6.592 million to deliver the UK programme at market rates.3 The bulk of the costs were met by host venues and sponsors of individual events, while the British Council provided £785,000 (12%) towards individual events using its grant in aid.
    [Show full text]
  • 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand'
    HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW_HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW.qxd 05/10/2018 11:44 Page 1 THE KREMLIN’S SLEIGHT OF HAND: RUSSIA’S SOFT POWER OFFENSIVE IN THE UK BY Dr AnDrew FoxAll PolicY PAPer no. 3 (2015) DEMOCRACY | FREEDOM | HUMAN RIGHTS February 2015 HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW_HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW.qxd 05/10/2018 11:44 Page 2 originally published in 2015 by The Henry Jackson Society. This edition published in 2018. The Henry Jackson Society Millbank Tower 21-24 Millbank london Sw1P 4QP registered charity no. 1140489 Tel: +44 (0)20 7340 4520 www.henryjacksonsociety.org © The Henry Jackson Society, 2015. All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and are not necessarily indicative of those of The Henry Jackson Society or its Trustees. Title: “THe KreMlin’S SleigHT oF HAnD: ruSSiA’S SoFT Power oFFenSive in THe uK” By: Dr Andrew Foxall HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW_HJS 'The Kremlin's Sleight of Hand' Report NEW.qxd 05/10/2018 11:44 Page 3 THe KreMlin’S SleigHT oF HAnD Summary • russian foreign policy has become more assertive and revisionist under the leadership of President Putin. while russia’s use of hard power has received much attention, particularly since the 2008 russo-georgian war, the Kremlin’s use of soft power – with the exception of russia’s international rolling-news channel, RT (formerly Russia Today ) – has gone largely unnoticed.
    [Show full text]
  • Ensuring Gender Equality in Russian Federation to 2017 - 2025
    1 Ensuring gender equality in Russian Federation to 2017 - 2025 Dear ladies! Dear Sirs! These days, when we are discussing issues of equal opportunities for men and women, Russia is hosting the second Eurasian women's forum "Women for global security and sustainable development", which brought together representatives from 112 countries to consolidate political and social forces to achieve true equality, creating the conditions necessary for the full, non-discriminatory implementation of women's interests, abilities and talents. A lot has been done in this direction in Russia. I will focus on the most important thing: the Constitution of the country, on the initiative of the women's Union of Russia — the organization I represent, introduced paragraph 19 on equal rights, freedoms of men and women and equal opportunities for their implementation, adopted the national strategy for action in the interests of women for 2017-2022, which defines the main directions of state policy towards women in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the universally recognized principles and norms of international law, international treaties of the Russian Federation. The strategy is based on the fact that women's rights are an integral part of General human rights. A number of strategic documents are being implemented in the Russian Federation for the benefit of women: the Concept of the state demographic policy for the period up to 2025, the Concept of the state family policy for the period up to 2025, the Strategy of actions for the benefit of senior citizens in the Russian Federation up to 2025.
    [Show full text]
  • Romanov News Новости Романовых
    Romanov News Новости Романовых By Ludmila & Paul Kulikovsky №№9955 February 2016 The fence around the Alexander Column The photo on the cover of this issue of Romanov News shows a detail of the fence around the Alexander Column on Palace Square in St. Petersburg. The Alexander Column was surrounded by a decorative bronze fence about 1.5 meters tall, made on the project of Auguste Montferrand. The fence is decorated with 136 double headed eagles and 12 captured guns (4 corners and 2 flank the double gates to the four sides of the fence), that are crowned with three-headed eagles. Between them were placed alternating spears and flagpoles banners topped with double-headed eagles. In addition, the project involved the installation of chandeliers with brass lanterns, and gas lighting. The fence in its original form was established in 1834, and with all the elements it was completed in 1837. The Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria burial-case continues "Yekaterinburg remains" - Report of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, February 2, 2016 An important topic, concerned not only the church, but also a secular society over the years, is the identification of the remains found in 1979 in the vicinity of Yekaterinburg. At the time they were hidden, but in 1991 the discoverers of the burial pit at Ganina said that it contains the remains of those shot in the Ipatiev house of the Royal family and their servants, with the exception of Crown Prince Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria.
    [Show full text]
  • Russia Country Report BTI 2018
    BTI 2018 Country Report Russia This report is part of the Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Transformation Index (BTI) 2018. It covers the period from February 1, 2015 to January 31, 2017. The BTI assesses the transformation toward democracy and a market economy as well as the quality of political management in 129 countries. More on the BTI at http://www.bti-project.org. Please cite as follows: Bertelsmann Stiftung, BTI 2018 Country Report — Russia. Gütersloh: Bertelsmann Stiftung, 2018. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Contact Bertelsmann Stiftung Carl-Bertelsmann-Strasse 256 33111 Gütersloh Germany Sabine Donner Phone +49 5241 81 81501 [email protected] Hauke Hartmann Phone +49 5241 81 81389 [email protected] Robert Schwarz Phone +49 5241 81 81402 [email protected] Sabine Steinkamp Phone +49 5241 81 81507 [email protected] BTI 2018 | Russia 3 Key Indicators Population M 144.3 HDI 0.804 GDP p.c., PPP $ 23163 Pop. growth1 % p.a. 0.2 HDI rank of 188 49 Gini Index 37.7 Life expectancy years 70.9 UN Education Index 0.832 Poverty3 % 0.3 Urban population % 74.1 Gender inequality2 0.271 Aid per capita $ - Sources (as of October 2017): The World Bank, World Development Indicators 2017 | UNDP, Human Development Report 2016. Footnotes: (1) Average annual growth rate. (2) Gender Inequality Index (GII). (3) Percentage of population living on less than $3.20 a day at 2011 international prices. Executive Summary Vladimir Putin has been deciding and influencing the Russian political, economic and cultural landscape for about sixteen years, first in two terms as president, then one term as prime minister and now serving his third term as president.
    [Show full text]
  • Briefing the Composition of Russia's New Cabinet and Presidential
    DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION DIRECTORATE B POLICY DEPARTMENT BRIEFING THE COMPOSITION OF RUSSIA’S NEW CABINET AND PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION, AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE Abstract The new Russian government represents a compromise between Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev. Although the latter had to step aside last September and relinquish the presidency, he was given more latitude to assemble the cabinet of ministers than in 2008. The new Russian power configuration following the recent reshuffle is more complex than it was previously. There are in fact now more centres of decision-making. The division of labour between the president and the prime minister will not necessarily correspond to the letter of the constitution. One of the key questions at the moment is the role that the president’s new aides and advisors will play. The emergence of a 'parallel cabinet' in the Kremlin would complicate the decision-making system and would leave Dmitry Medvedev in a weaker position. The situation in Moscow is rapidly changing. The authorities appear to be sending conflicting signals. While Dmitry Medvedev had made some concessions in December on the election of the governors and the registration of political parties, we note that in the last several weeks he has been tempted to backpedal. EP/EXPO/B/AFET/FWC/2009-01/Lot1/38 June 2012 PE 457.132 EN Policy Department DG External Policies This briefing was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs following a proposal by the Policy Department, DG EXPO. AUTHOR: Arnaud DUBIEN, Senior Research Fellow, IRIS, Belgium ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBLE: Julien CRAMPES Directorate-General for External Policies of the Union Policy Department WIB 06 M 075 rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Brussels Editorial Assistant: Elina STERGATOU LINGUISTIC VERSIONS Original: EN ABOUT THE EDITOR Editorial closing date: 13 June 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • Countering a Resurgent Russia Hearing Committee
    COUNTERING A RESURGENT RUSSIA HEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION May 1, 2019 Serial No. 116–31 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs ( Available: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/, http://docs.house.gov, or http://www.govinfo.gov U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 36–135PDF WASHINGTON : 2019 COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS ELIOT L. ENGEL, New York, Chairman BRAD SHERMAN, California MICHAEL T. MCCAUL, Texas, Ranking GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York Member ALBIO SIRES, New Jersey CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey GERALD E. CONNOLLY, Virginia STEVE CHABOT, Ohio THEODORE E. DEUTCH, Florida JOE WILSON, South Carolina KAREN BASS, California SCOTT PERRY, Pennsylvania WILLIAM KEATING, Massachusetts TED S. YOHO, Florida DAVID CICILLINE, Rhode Island ADAM KINZINGER, Illinois AMI BERA, California LEE ZELDIN, New York JOAQUIN CASTRO, Texas JIM SENSENBRENNER, Wisconsin DINA TITUS, Nevada ANN WAGNER, Missouri ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York BRIAN MAST, Florida TED LIEU, California FRANCIS ROONEY, Florida SUSAN WILD, Pennsylvania BRIAN FITZPATRICK, Pennsylvania DEAN PHILLIPS, Minnesota JOHN CURTIS, Utah ILHAN OMAR, Minnesota KEN BUCK, Colorado COLIN ALLRED, Texas RON WRIGHT, Texas ANDY LEVIN, Michigan GUY RESCHENTHALER, Pennsylvania ABIGAIL SPANBERGER, Virginia TIM BURCHETT, Tennessee CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania GREG PENCE, Indiana TOM MALINOWSKI, New Jersey STEVE WATKINS, Kansas DAVID TRONE, Maryland MIKE GUEST, Mississippi JIM COSTA, California JUAN VARGAS, California VICENTE GONZALEZ, Texas JASON STEINBAUM, Staff Director BRENDAN SHIELDS, Republican Staff Director (II) C O N T E N T S Page WITNESSES Nuland, Ambassador Victoria, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Center on the United States and Europe, Brookings Institution, and Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and Former United States Permanent Representative to NATO ........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Does the Russian Adoption Ban Violate International Law? Christina Champenois
    Brigham Young University International Law & Management Review Volume 11 | Issue 2 Article 3 8-1-2015 Does the Russian Adoption Ban Violate International Law? Christina Champenois Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/ilmr Part of the Family Law Commons, and the International Law Commons Recommended Citation Christina Champenois, Does the Russian Adoption Ban Violate International Law?, 11 BYU Int'l L. & Mgmt. R. 29 (2015). Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.byu.edu/ilmr/vol11/iss2/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by BYU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University International Law & Management Review by an authorized editor of BYU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. DOES THE RUSSIAN ADOPTION BAN VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW? Christina Champenois* I. INTRODUCTION Without surgery before the age of five, Ivan will die.1 Ivan suffers from Apert syndrome, a rare cranial condition.2 Ivan needs an operation to reshape his skull before he turns five years old or his skull will slowly crush his brain.3 Abandoned by his biological mother4 and living in an orphanage in Smolensk, Russia, Ivan has little chance of getting the life- saving operation in time.5 Fortunately for Ivan, Shana and Ron Pardue wanted to adopt him and take him home to Tennessee for the surgery he so desperately needs.6 Unfortunately for Ivan, however, Russia did not allow the Pardues to complete the adoption. Ivan was three years old when Russia banned U.S. citizens from adopting Russian orphans,7 beginning in January 2013.8 For Ivan, the adoption ban may prove to be a death sentence because two years later, Ivan still awaits the operation.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter #1(64) March 2016
    NEWSLETTER ILO DecentDecent WorkWork Technical Technical Support Support Team Team and and Country OfficeOffice forfor EasternEastern EuropeEurope and and Central Central Asia Asia #11(64)(64) March March 2016 2016 Ufa Hosts First Ever BRICS Labour Ministerial On 25 – 26 January, the city of Ufa, capital of Chairman of the Federation of Independent The Declaration affirms that labour and employ- Bashkortostan, hosted the first ever meeting Trade Unions of Russia; and Alexander Shokhin, ment policies are of great importance for the of ministers of labour and employment of the President of the Russian Union of Industrialists promotion of sustainable growth. The partici- BRICS countries focused on Quality Jobs and and Entrepreneurs. pants acknowledged the essential role of social Inclusive Employment Policies. dialogue and the importance of collective bar- “While in recent decades the BRICS gaining, while also welcoming the contribution countries have been the drivers of the of social partners to the design and implementa- growing “global middle class,” in the tion of labour and employment policies. current environment, continued high rates of economic growth sustaining the According to the Declaration, the formalization middle class cannot be taken for grant- of labour market is a global priority, as it is a ed,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in his address. “Those of us responsible for employment and social well-being should bear in mind that growth is not the whole story, for high growth does not guarantee decent work, inclusion and equity,” he added. The agenda of the meeting included moderni- zation at the level of enterprises and economic The ILO head emphasized the need for sectors; increasing the productivity of labour; effective public investments in infrastruc- the quality of vocational education and training; ture to boost job creation while addressing the development of professional standards; productivity and economic transformation labour mobility; the promotion of employment concerns.
    [Show full text]