Three Russian protestors jailed

by iosaf Fri Nov 25, 2005 14:24

since february 2005 it has been very clear that the Russian state is not keen on developing the sort of democratic criticism at trade union level, grass roots level or internet. I say February because it was then that Putin in a speech alledged that "foreign" elements were keen on "causing trouble" in similar vein to the ukranian popular "uprising". Thereafter protest groups within Russia found it harder to assemble interest groups such as pensioners, and students to decry the speed of "reforms" which though helping the Russian economy become "competitive" in a global sense, have not guaranteed continuing basic social rights or (as they are now termed) "privelages". "privelages" such as enough money for pensioners to live on.

In less than a year, Russia will chair the G8 conference. As of yet they have not suggested a "theme". We don't know if it will be "internet for Africa!" which the G7 discussed the very first year Russia looked on as a "bystander". We can presume neither the Blairite "climate change and africa" nor even the Chirac "air tax for vaccines" will be central to Russian concerns, as they take one very significant step upwards on the ladder of global "capitalist influence".

it is thus important that we watch Russia carefully.
It is the first state which clearly lacks certain democratic values to join and now host the "club" of industrialised nations.

I don't really think many people will be going to Moscow or Petersburg for 2006 G8, but certainly our sister collective indymedia russia will be there.
Even if you don't understand russian, go have a look on a frequent basis at their site, especially at the photos just to get an idea of what they look like-
http://ru.indymedia.org/
"pretty much like us".

Now don't they have a right to assembly?