Russia `effectively revokes' right to assemble [View All]

[dArKeR]

NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE , MOSCOW
Friday, Apr 02, 2004,Page 7

The Russian Parliament took the first step on Wednesday toward passing a law that would ban demonstrations in most public places, narrowing one of the crucial freedoms won as the Soviet Union came to an end.

The bill passed the first of three readings by a vote of 294 to 137, reflecting the dominance of supporters of President Vladimir Putin.

The draft law prohibits rallies outside government buildings, embassies and international organizations, on major roads, near schools, hospitals, stadiums, concert halls and religious centers, and at pipelines and environmentally hazardous sites.

"This would be the end of political life in the streets," said Sergei Reshulsky, a member of the Communist Party, which has asserted itself over the years in street rallies.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/04/02/2003116365