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The Russian State Duma “Cares” about Children

Details: 01 June 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

In early May, Arkady Ponomarev, a member of the United Russia Party’s faction of the Russian State Duma, introduced a bill that would ban the dissemination of information that “distorts patriotism” among children. According to writer Alexander Podrabinek, teaching “correct” patriotism in schools will be accompanied by restrictions to any ideology alien to the current government.

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Special Projects

Political Prisoners

Russia's Political Prisoners: Daniil Konstantinov

Details: 28 May 2014; Boris Bruk

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of articles dedicated to Russian political prisoners with a portrait of Daniil Konstantinov, a civil activist and leader of the nationalist League for the Defense of Moscow movement. New court hearings on his case started on May 27.

Details: Law

How Legitimate Are Referenda on Independence?

Details: 27 May 2014; Juliana Demesheva

The referendum that was held on the Crimea joining Russia, as well as the referenda on establishing Donetsk and Luhansk as “people’s republics,” raises the critical issue of the legitimacy of such separatist popular votes. Constitutional law expert and professor at the Higher School of Economics Juliana Demesheva explains the concept of a referendum and clarifies which referenda can be considered legitimate.

Details: Politics

Useless Parliament

Details: 20 May 2014; Alexander Podrabinek

For its hasty issuance of poorly written laws, the Russian State Duma is often called a “mad printer.” According to writer and journalist Alexander Podrabinek, the current Russian parliament is made up of deputies whose only aims are to please the president and retain their deputy status.

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Special Projects

Political Prisoners

Russia’s Political Prisoners: Sergei Udaltsov

Details: 19 May 2014; Olga Khvostunova

The Institute of Modern Russia continues its series of articles dedicated to Russian political prisoners with a portrait of Sergei Udaltsov, a leader of the Left Front movement, one of the leaders of the 2011–12 protest movement, and a defendant in the Bolotnaya case.

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