Putin's new laws trampling human rights in Russia

Putin's new laws deny human rights in Russia Free speech restricted, gay rights trampled, non-governmental organisations (NGOS) silenced Freedom 5,000 of expression and assembly restricted Nearly 5,000 people arrested in 'unauthorised protests' in and around Moscow 2012-13 200 people dispersed after their mass pillow fight was declared an 'unauthorised gathering' - five were fined June 2012 Two people arrested for 'one-person protests' (the only sort allowed) on opposite sides of the same building: police said they constituted a public meeting Nov 2012 A St Petersburg museum was forced to close 10 days after opening; exhibits included satirical Only one pro-government rally was dispersed and one attracted a fine 2012 paintings of President Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev 2013 LGBTI rights trampled 100 Moscow Pride banned for 100 years by the city courts 2012 LGBTI activists gagged: new legislation bans 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations' June 2013 NGOS silenced by the 'foreign agents law' The 'foreign agents law' requires NGOS receiving foreign funds to publicly declare themselves 'foreign agents'. If they don't, they get a heavy fine. To most Russians, 'foreign agent' means 'spy'. The results so far: 1,00€ 1,000 NGOS 'inspected', including Amnesty and Human Rights Watch Nov 2012-Dec 2013 50 20 20 NGOS taken to 50 NGOS received official warnings court 54 CLOSED 5 NGOS fined (but two of them appealed and won) 4 NGOS forced to close Amnesty International amnesty.org.uk/russia @AmnestyUK