In 2011 Russian human rights defenders were harassed and its civil society worked in a hostile climate. No one has been held responsible for abuses, including the murders of activists in the North Caucasus. Russia’s cooperation with international institutions in the field of human rights appeared perfunctory, and several positive developments pertaining to freedom of expression were counterbalanced by proposed detrimental laws in other areas. The authorities refused to register new political parties and used government resources to support pro-Putin candidates in the elections. The peaceful demonstrations that followed the December 2011 parliamentary vote forced authorities to acknowledge the public’s discontent with the Putin-era authoritarianism and to promise reforms.