• Human Rights in Russia
    Mass protests following Russia’s December 2011 parliamentary elections prompted promises of political reforms. However, after Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency, the Kremlin oversaw the swift reversal of former President Dmitry Medvedev’s few, timid advances on political freedoms and unleashed an unprecedented crackdown against civic activism. In 2012, new laws passed through the State Duma that require foreign-funded NGOs to register as “foreign agents,” recriminalize libel, place greater restrictions on freedom of assembly, increase internet censorship, and broaden the definition of treason to include many types of international advocacy. Charges of “hooliganism” and “inciting religious hatred” have been used to place restrictions on freedom of expression. New local laws discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. Abuses continue in the counterinsurgency campaign in the North Caucasus.
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  • Syria: Strong Coalition Message Against Targeting Civilians
    Dec 21, 2012

    The Syrian National Coalition (SNC) sent a clear signal that targeting civilians violates the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. The coalition’s statement on December 19, 2012, condemned attacks on civilians, regardless of their nationality. 

  • Russia: Reject Adoption Ban Bill
    Dec 21, 2012
    The upper chamber of Russia’s parliament should reject a draft law that would ban US citizens from adopting Russian children and introduce new restrictions on civil society.
  • Russia: Environmental Activist Threatened with New Charges
    Dec 20, 2012
    Russian authorities should stop harassing environmental activists Suren Gazaryan and Evgeniy Vitishko.
  • Russia/EU: Moment of Truth Over Human Rights
    Dec 17, 2012
    The European Union should urge President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming EU-Russia summit meeting to end the crackdown on Russia’s civil society.
  • Brazil: Rousseff Should Condemn Russian Crackdown
    Dec 12, 2012
    President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil should express concern about the crackdown on civil society in Russia when she meets with President Vladimir V. Putin.
  • Russia: Reject Homophobic Bill
    Dec 10, 2012
    Russia’s parliament should reject a proposed bill that would violate Russians’ freedom of expression and discriminate against and stigmatize Russia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
  • Back to the (Soviet) Future
    Dec 6, 2012
    While today's Russia cannot be compared to the Soviet Union, it is certainly moving in that direction. In fact, during the first seven months of Vladimir Putin's new presidency, the echo of the old times has become alarmingly strong. So strong, in fact, that the most prominent human rights defender in the country is seriously contemplating the prospect of soon landing in jail.
  • Russia: Stop Efforts to Ban Human Rights Book
    Dec 3, 2012
    The Russian authorities should withdraw their petition to ban a human rights monograph as “extremist.” The case is part of the growing misuse of anti-extremism legislation against civil society activists.
  • Testimony on Human Rights in Russia
    Nov 15, 2012
    There has never been a more important time in the post-Soviet era for the United States to articulate a clear policy on Russia’s adherence to international human rights standards and make human rights concerns a key part of the agenda with Russia.
  • Russia: Merkel Should Press Putin on Rights
    Nov 13, 2012
    Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany should urge President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to end the crackdown on his country’s civil society when the two leaders meet on November 16, 2012.
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