28 May 2004 10:38
Russian Duma approves controversial law on rallies in second reading
Moscow, 28 May: The State Duma passed in the second reading today the bill "On meetings, rallies,
demonstrations, marches and picketing", the blueprint for which had been approved by the deputies on 31 March. A
total of 310 MPs voted in favour of the resolution, with 120 voting against it and no abstentions.
The document affirms the requirement to notify the authorities about staging rallies, marches, demonstrations or
picketing, rather than seeking permission, as was the case earlier. It stipulates that public demonstrations can be held
between 0700 and 2300 hours; defines the status of their organizers and participants, which may include both ordinary
citizens of majority age, and existing political parties; and defines the procedure, forms and nature of public
demonstrations.
The bill also provides for "creating realistic and safe conditions for staging rallies". With this aim, it
lists the territories near which marches and pickets may not be staged. The lower house whittled down the text passed in
the first reading, removing from the "out-of-bounds" list the buildings of federal, regional and local
government bodies, as well as missions of foreign states and international organizations. According to the new version,
public demonstrations may not be staged near hazardous and harmful production facilities, main railway lines, flyovers,
border areas, courts and prisons, or residences of the president of the Russian Federation.
Under the terms of the bill, notification about rallies should be submitted not earlier than 15 and not later than 10
days, and notification about picketing, not later than three days before the final date for staging an event.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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