Russia

Widespread destruction of Ukraine’s museums, theaters and libraries, the persecution of writers and artists, and other attacks against Ukrainian heritage expose the breadth of Russia’s attempts to erase the country’s cultural identity as a tactic of war, according to this report by PEN America and PEN Ukraine.

Following a visit to Ukraine from 24 May to 3 June to investigate Ukrainian photojournalist Maks Levin’s death, RSF is releasing a report with information and evidence indicating that Levin and his friend and bodyguard were executed by Russian soldiers in a forest near Kyiv on 13 March, possibly after being interrogated and even tortured.

Laws passed since Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency in May 2012 have dramatically strengthened the Russian authorities’ control over the flow of information online and offline. Much of this crackdown has been fuelled by Russia’s foreign policy, in particular its role in the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine and its armed intervention in Syria.

LinkedIn became the first international social media platform to be banned in Russia for failing to comply with data localization requirements

Since 2012, the Russian authorities have intensified a crackdown on freedom of expression, selectively casting certain kinds of criticism of the government as threats to state security and public stability and introducing significant restrictions to online expression and invasive surveillance of online activity.

Throughout the year there were reports of attacks, threats, censorship, arrests, and prison sentences against both journalists and ordinary citizens who had posted or shared politically sensitive information online.

At least three internet users received significant prison sentences for posting “extremist” content related to Ukraine on social media.

Vague amendments to criminal code could criminalize financing of NGOs and independent media outlets

Ranked 180th in annual global media freedom report

Websites featuring anti-Putin articles blocked

Ranked 176th in annual global media freedom report

“Control from the top down”

“Authorities cracked down on free expression in run-up to Winter Olympics”

The Russian authorities detained at least 61 people in different cities across the country for holding unauthorized protests ahead of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi on 7 February 2014.

Ban-Ki Moon spoke out against the climate of discrimination and intimidation in Russia

Over 200 international authors, including Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie, sign IFEX member PEN International’s letter denouncing Russia’s “chokehold” on free expression

Ranked 148th in annual press freedom index

Parliament unanimously adopts law banning promotion of “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relationships”

A new bill provides for the immediate blocking of websites with content regarded by the prosecutor’s office as extremist. Inciting hatred or terrorist acts are already grounds for blocking. Now, urging people to participate in unauthorized protests would also be viewed as “extremist.”

Charges against dozens of protesters in connection with the protest on the eve of President Vladimir Putin’s 2012 inauguration are “inappropriate” and “disproportionate,” according to a panel of independent experts. Twenty seven people are facing “mass rioting” charges in connection with the protest on May 6, 2012.

New investigations are needed into cases of violence against journalists and those at risk need immediate protection, according to a new ARTICLE 19 report.

Russia is the sixth deadliest country in the world for journalists in the last 16 years. Moreover, as impunity for attacks on journalists in Russia remains the general rule and the vast majority of cases remain unsolved, the true tally could be even higher.

Russian authorities are using a new law that requires some nongovernmental organizations to register as “foreign agents” to curtail a broad range of work by independent organizations.

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has emerged as a laboratory for the development of methods to suppress media freedom in the post-totalitarian era.

ARTICLE 19 calls on the State Duma of the Russian Federation to reject the concept of defamation of religions proposed in the Draft Law.

The report analyzes new laws in Russia, including the so-called “foreign agents” law, the treason law, and the assembly law, and documents how they have been used.

Ranked 176th in annual global media freedom report

“Vague laws on extremism make it possible to crack down on any speech, organisation, or activity that lacks official support”

As tens of thousands protest election, journalists are detained

“The media freedom panorama continues to be gloomy”

Police officer arrested in murder of Journalist Anna Politkovskaya