In a letter to President Boris Yeltsin, WAN expressed its serious concern at the growing harassment of the Russian regional press by local authorities. According to reports, in November 1999 a number of local authorities actively obstructed the free flow of information via newspapers and broadcasting outlets. Reported incidents include: – In Novosibirsk, 50,000 copies […]
In a letter to President Boris Yeltsin, WAN expressed its serious concern at the growing harassment of the Russian regional press by local authorities.
According to reports, in November 1999 a number of local authorities actively obstructed the free flow of information via newspapers and broadcasting outlets. Reported incidents include:
– In Novosibirsk, 50,000 copies of the local newspaper “Gorodovoi” were seized because they contained “too many materials critical of the activities of Novosibirsk’s mayor, Viktor Tolokonskii”.
– Despite a Vladivostok appeal court overturning a lower court’s order to seize local opposition newspaper “Arsenievskii Vesti”, authorities continued to confiscate editions of the newspaper.
– Local opposition newspaper “Vechernii Yekaterinburg” was evicted from its offices in the Yekaterinburg Press House by the local Property Ministry.
– Local policemen conducted an illegal search of Radio Rostov’s premises in Rostov-na-Dony, seizing two computers and one notebook. The computers were returned after several days but had been cleansed of documents.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– expressing your concern over the deteriorating condition of press freedom in Russia
– reminding him that freedom of expression is guaranteed by numerous international conventions, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Russia is a party. The covenant states: “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print”
– respectfully calling on him to ensure that these incidents are thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are strictly disciplined
– urging him to take swift action to ensure that his country observes its international commitments to free expression
Appeals To
His Excellency Boris Yeltsin
President of the Russian Federation
Moscow, Russia
Fax: +7 095 206 5173 / 206 6277
E-mail: president@gov.ru
Please copy appeals to WAN.
