On 24 June 1996, a presidential decree was issued which forbids making insulting or slanderous public remarks about the President of Tartarstan. The decree calls for a four million ruble (US$ 800) fine on anyone found guilty of the charge. Repeat offenders whose insults are printed in the media face higher fines of seven million […]
On 24 June 1996, a presidential decree was issued which forbids
making insulting or slanderous public remarks about the President
of Tartarstan. The decree calls for a four million ruble (US$
800) fine on anyone found guilty of the charge. Repeat offenders
whose insults are printed in the media face higher fines of seven
million rubles. Furthermore, the decree states that any media
outlet which reports an insult against the President will be
fined 30 million rubles and all copies of the offending issues
confiscated.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
violation of press freedom, and urging that the decree be
repealed immediately
Appeals To
His Excellency Shaimiev Mentimer
President of the Republic of Tartarstan
Kazan, Russia
Fax: +78 43 236 70 88
send copies to:
His Excellency Boris Yeltsin
President
Moscow, Russia
Fax: +70 95 206 39 61/206 51 37/206 00 33
Government Press Office Fax: +70 95 230 24 08
or e-mail c/o Marat Guriev, Administration of President Yeltsin:
marat@guriev.niiros.msk.su
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
