FINROSFORUM

FINROSFORUM

FINROSFORUM  //  The Finnish-Russian Civic Forum strives to promote cooperation between the peoples of Finland and Russia by supporting civic initiatives for democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech.

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Jan 17 / 2:56pm

Russia Making a Mockery of Human Rights

by Kerkko Paananen

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The Russian Foreign Ministry has published a report on the human rights situation in various countries. The starting point of the report is one of double standards: The report only focuses on human rights in countries, with which Russia is looking for discord.

The report devotes several pages to Finland. It seems that Moscow regards Finland as a similar target for pressure and part of its “near abroad” as the Baltic States. The report directs accusations against Finland using the same sort of demagoguery as against the Baltic States.

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Filed under  //  Democracy   EU   Europe   FINROSFORUM   Finland   Human Rights   Russia   Tuomioja  
 
Dec 23 / 1:52pm

"Putin's Voodoo Is Gone"

by Kerkko Paananen

Russian music critic and journalist Artemy Troitsky gave an interview to the Finnish publishing house, Into Kustannus, which publishes the Finnish edition of Novaya Gazeta. Speaking on the eve of renewed pro-democracy demonstrations planned for 24 December 2011, Mr Troitsky spoke about the change in the Russian people's protest mentality, the dismal state of the country's political party system, and the impending collapse of Vladimir Putin's regime. Below, an edited transcript of Mr Troitsky's comments.

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Filed under  //  Democracy   Human Rights   Medvedev   Opposition   Putin   Russia   Troitsky  
 
Dec 15 / 11:10am

Opposition Leader Held for Protest Attempt

by Kerkko Paananen

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Russian opposition leader Sergey Udaltsov has been in detention in Moscow since 4 December 2011, solely for attempting to lead peaceful protests against alleged election fraud. Amnesty International considers Mr Udaltsov, leader of the political movement, Left Front, a prisoner of conscience, who should not be detained at all. He is in need of medical treatment and should be released without delay, the organisation demands.

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Filed under  //  Amnesty   Democracy   Demonstration   Human Rights   Left Front   Opposition   Russia   Udaltsov  
 
Dec 12 / 9:54pm

When There Is No Going Back

by Kerkko Paananen

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"It has been almost 20 years since Russia saw so many people in the streets," writes Masha Gessen in The International Herald Tribune's Latitude blog. "The unmistakable sense that everyone is here, that no one is talking about anything but the protests, is distinctly reminiscent of the time 20 years ago," she recalls.

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Filed under  //  Democracy   Elections   Putin   Revolution   Russia   Russian Spring   Soviet Union   USSR  
 
Dec 10 / 7:19pm

"Russia Will Never Be The Same"

by Kerkko Paananen

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Russia will never be the same after the day of 10 December 2011. Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Russia to join the biggest anti-government rallies since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

According to rough estimates, in Moscow alone the protest rally brought together 100,000-150,000 people. In St Petersburg, around 10,000 people expressed their indignation at the fake election results and the level of public discontent with Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin's "power vertical."

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Filed under  //  Chelysheva   Democracy   Duma   Elections   FINROSFORUM   Russia   Russian Spring  
 
Dec 9 / 4:36pm

EU-Russia NGO Body Condemns Crackdown

by Kerkko Paananen

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Statement by the Steering Committee of the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum

Russian authorities should ensure that Russian citizens are able to excercise the rights to freedom of assembly and expression when demanding free and fair elections

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Filed under  //  Civil Society   Democracy   Duma   EU   Elections   Forum   Human Rights   Russia  
 
Dec 9 / 3:34pm

FINROSFORUM 2011 | Helsinki 10-11 December 2011

by Kerkko Paananen

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The Finnish-Russian Civic Forum (FINROSFORUM) will hold its fifth annual conference, FINROSFORUM 2011, in Helsinki on 10-11 December 2011. The themes of this year's conference will be public participation in large-scale infrastructure projects and corruption in Russia. The programme consists of four panel discussions: The campaign against ”Gazprom Tower” in St Petersburg; the campaign to defend Khimki Forest near Moscow; the campaign against the Olympic construction projects in Sochi; and Russia's system of corruption.

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Filed under  //  Conference   Democracy   FINROSFORUM   Finland   Helsinki   Human Rights   Russia  
 
Dec 9 / 2:51pm

FINROSFORUM 2011 | Speaker Profiles

by Kerkko Paananen

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The fifth annual conference of the Finnish-Russian Civic Forum (FINROSFORUM) begins on 10 December 2011 at the Sofia Cultural Centre in Helsinki's Vuosaari district. Guest speakers include a number of grassroots civic activists and experts from Russia, Finland, and elsewhere. Below, short introductions of the speakers.

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Filed under  //  Conference   Corruption   Democracy   Environment   FINROSFORUM   Finland   Human Rights   Russia  
 
Dec 4 / 9:03am

Khodorkovsky

by Kerkko Paananen

German filmmaker Cyril Tuschi's documentary about Mikhail Khodorkovsky, former owner of Yukos Oil Company, received much attention and praise at its debut during this year's Berlin Film Festival after it was stolen twice in the final months of its production.

The film became one of the most talked about at the festival and prompted rumours about who was involved in the thefts. The film tells Khodorkovsky's story from a socialist believer to a perfect capitalist and subsequently the best known Russian prisoner.

http://www.khodorkovsky-movie.com/

Filed under  //  Documentary   Human Rights   Khodorkovsky   Oligarchs   Putin   Rosneft   Russia   YUKOS  
 
Dec 2 / 5:41am

Other Russia Members Charged in Moscow

by Kerkko Paananen

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Police in Moscow carried out mass arrests of members of the non-registered opposition party, Other Russia. At least nine people were arrested in raids carried out by Russia's political police, the so-called E-centre, at homes of party activists over night. Most of those arrested were severely beaten up during the raids. Those arrested will now be charged under Russia's so-called anti-extremism legislation, Article 282 of Russia's Criminal Code.

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Filed under  //  282   Democracy   Elections   Extremism   Human Rights   Limonov   Other Russia   Russia