| 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
| 