Russia: the risks of the anti-terrorism law
by Roberta Bertoldi, July 21, 2016.
Legislative changes introduced by the anti-terrorism bill approved by
the Russian Duma on 24 June will bring severe restrictions on freedom of
expression, freedom of thought and the right to privacy.
The so-called “Yarovaya law” was named after the
MP who drafted it, Irina Yarovaya, of the United Russia party. To become
law, it now needs to be approved by the Federation Council and to be
signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it seems that this
process will be fast and smooth.
MP who drafted it, Irina Yarovaya, of the United Russia party. To become
law, it now needs to be approved by the Federation Council and to be
signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it seems that this
process will be fast and smooth.
If this
happens, as early as 20 July, Russian citizens may be required to inform
the authorities about everything they know on the preparations of
terrorist attacks, armed rebellions, and many other types of crimes.
Those who fail to do so will face up to a year in jail.
happens, as early as 20 July, Russian citizens may be required to inform
the authorities about everything they know on the preparations of
terrorist attacks, armed rebellions, and many other types of crimes.
Those who fail to do so will face up to a year in jail.
The
legislation also obliges telephony and internet providers to increase
the storage time of metadata for contents exchanged online, as well as
to collaborate with authorities in the decoding of encrypted messaging
services like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber.
legislation also obliges telephony and internet providers to increase
the storage time of metadata for contents exchanged online, as well as
to collaborate with authorities in the decoding of encrypted messaging
services like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber.
With
the “Yarovaya law”, a new crime will also be introduced – which implies
sentences from 5 to a maximum of 10 years in prison – for those who
“organise or encourage people to take part in mass disorders”. A rule
that will limit any possible protest by the opposition.
the “Yarovaya law”, a new crime will also be introduced – which implies
sentences from 5 to a maximum of 10 years in prison – for those who
“organise or encourage people to take part in mass disorders”. A rule
that will limit any possible protest by the opposition.
It
will also prohibit proselytising, preaching, praying, or the spread of
religious material outside of “specially designated places”, i.e. the
places of worship of officially recognised religious institutions.
will also prohibit proselytising, preaching, praying, or the spread of
religious material outside of “specially designated places”, i.e. the
places of worship of officially recognised religious institutions.
Many human rights organisations, such as Human Rights Watch , have expressed their criticism regarding this law, denouncing the risks it poses to the individual freedoms of citizens.
Edward
Snowden, responsible for the 2013 Datagate on the global surveillance
implemented by the US government and who currently resides in Russia,
has tweeted that this law is a new “Big Brother” for Russia and “an
unworkable and unjustifiable violation of rights that should never be
signed”. Other tweets continued stating that “Store 6 months of content
[of web communications] is not just dangerous, it’s impractical; mass
surveillance does not work.”
Snowden, responsible for the 2013 Datagate on the global surveillance
implemented by the US government and who currently resides in Russia,
has tweeted that this law is a new “Big Brother” for Russia and “an
unworkable and unjustifiable violation of rights that should never be
signed”. Other tweets continued stating that “Store 6 months of content
[of web communications] is not just dangerous, it’s impractical; mass
surveillance does not work.”
Russia’s new Big Brother law is an unworkable, unjustifiable violation of rights that should never be signed. https://t.co/HNsYmRaxR3— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) 25 giugno 2016
SOURCE: Balcanicaucaso
