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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May 3 / 3:03am

"Past Cannot Be Forgotten"

by Kerkko Paananen

The Arkadia International Bookshop in Helsinki will host a talk with journalist and human rights defender Oksana Chelysheva and Chechen singer Liza Umarova on the situation in Chechnya on Saturday 5 May 2012 at 4 pm. The discussion will be in English and Russian.

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Filed under  //  Aldy   Chechnya   Helsinki   Human Rights   Russia   War Crimes  
 
Mar 26 / 3:30am

Art and Politics in Russia Today

by Kerkko Paananen

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The Arkadia International Bookshop in Helsinki will host a discussion on art and politics in today's Russia with journalist Oksana Chelysheva and street artist Alexandra Kachko on Monday 26 March 2012 at 6pm. Oksana and Alexandra will discuss Alexandra’s art and other topics pertaining to Russia today: The imprisonment of the members of the feminist punk group, Pussy Riot, the dismantling and criminal prosecution of the organisers of the Be Cautious: Religion! and Forbidden Art exhibitions, the Voina art group and the reasons they are on international wanted lists and currently in hiding. The discussion will be in English and Russian. Entrance is free and green tea will be served. A donation of EUR 2 or more to fund the event would be most welcome.

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Filed under  //  Art   Graffiti   Helsinki   Politics   Pussy Riot   Russia   St Petersburg   Voina  
 
Mar 22 / 12:52pm

Умерла Марина Салье

by Kerkko Paananen

Сегодня не стало Марины Салье. Она была главой комиссии Санкт-Петербургского горсовета, которая анализировала деятельность председателя комитета по внешним связям мэрии Санкт-Петербурга Владимира Путина. Затем возглавляла Свободную демократическую партию России, в последнее время была членом Партии народной свободы.

Filed under  //  Corruption   Putin   RIP   Russia   St Petersburg   ПАРНАС   Путин  
 
Mar 6 / 1:14pm

Russian Czarina in Italian Tuscany

by Kerkko Paananen

"Our quiet little place is in turmoil," writes author and journalist Andrey Malgin. "Yesterday, only a kilometre away from where I am staying, Svetlana Medvedeva, wife of Russia's placeholder president, Dmitry Medvedev, accompanied by 30 bodyguards, arrived at the Grand Hotel & La Pace in Montecatini Terme in Italy's Tuscany," Mr Malgin reported. Ms Medvedeva has reserved the entire five-star hotel until 21 March 2012.

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Filed under  //  Czarina   Italy   Medvedev   Montecatini   Russia   Tsaritsa  
 
Mar 3 / 4:44pm

"They are all pieces of shit"

by Kerkko Paananen

New teaser of the film "Russian Libertine" on the eve of the Russian presidential elections. The citation in the clip is from the book, "The Good Stalin," by the main protagonist of the film, Victor Yerofeyev.

Filed under  //  Documentary   Elections   Kinocompany   Putin   Russia  
 
Feb 19 / 12:28pm

Musa: Survivor of Chechen Meat Grinder

by Kerkko Paananen

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The Finnish webzine, Fifi, ran an interview with Musa, a Chechen refugee living in Finland. Below, an abridged translation of Jussi Förbom’s original article:

Finnish director Mervi Junkkonen’s documentary film, After Life - Four Stories of Torture, is an excruciating, maddening, and beautiful plea in defence of torture victims. One of the film’s main characters is Musa, who escaped the Chechen meat grinder. He wishes that the viewers of the film appreciate the importance of freedom and understand that the conflict in Chechnya is not over. One day, he hopes to be able to tell his son about his experiences under torture.

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Filed under  //  Asylum   Chechnya   Human Rights   Refugees   Russia   Torture  
 
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