Law - Institute of Modern Russia

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The State Duma Wants to Protect Russia from Foreigners

Details: Law

The State Duma Wants to Protect Russia from Foreigners

Details: 17 December 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

On December 3, a draft law entitled “On Measures to Protect the National Economy and to Limit Activities of Legal Entities and Citizens of Aggressor States in the Russian Federation” was submitted to the State Duma of the Russian Federation. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina believes that if this law is passed, the consequences for Russia could be disastrous.

Who is Troubled by Gay Propaganda?

Details: Law

Who is Troubled by Gay Propaganda?

Details: 10 November 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

In late September, the Russian Constitutional Court upheld a law banning gay propaganda, emphasizing that the ban is aimed at “protecting such constitutional values as family and childhood.” IMR advisor Ekaterina Mishina analyzes the background of this issue in Russia and the motives behind the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

State Ideology May Return to Russia

Details: Law

State Ideology May Return to Russia

Details: 28 October 2014; Juliana Demesheva

Since September, deputies’ signatures have been being collected in the State Duma to remove from the Russian Constitution the ban on state ideology and the principle of priority of international law over domestic legislation. Higher School of Economics professor and constitutional law specialist Juliana Demesheva reviews the suggested legislation.

Who Shall Judge?

Details: Law

Who Shall Judge?

Details: 30 September 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

In early September, Russia’s Supreme Arbitration Court was dissolved and the judicial matters previously under its authority were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. However, this reform uncovered various problems, the most pressing of which concerns personnel. IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina offers insight into yet another stage of Russian judicial reform.

Whose Feelings Did Marilyn Manson and Pussy Riot Hurt?

Details: Law

Whose Feelings Did Marilyn Manson and Pussy Riot Hurt?

Details: 07 August 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

In late June, rock musician Marilyn Manson, known for his flamboyant onstage persona, was supposed to take part in a rock festival in Moscow. The concert, however, was canceled due to an alleged bomb threat. His second scheduled concert in Novosibirsk was canceled at the demand of Orthodox Christian activists. IMR advisor Ekaterina Mishina and Skyline High School (Ann Arbor, MI) junior Alice Nikitinskaya draw parallels between this incident and the Pussy Riot case.

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office Takes On Corruption

Details: Law

Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office Takes On Corruption

Details: 07 July 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

In early June, the Prosecutor General’s Office published a draft law “On Amendments to the Legislation of the Russian Federation to Strengthen Responsibility for Corruption.” IMR legal expert Ekaterina Mishina analyzes the proposed changes.

Why Russia's Federation Council Cannot Become the House of Lords

Details: Law

Why Russia's Federation Council Cannot Become the House of Lords

Details: 19 June 2014; Juliana Demesheva

Over the last few months, the Russian State Duma has been seriously involved in constitutional construction, working on the creation of new principles for forming the Federation Council, Russia’s second house of Parliament. Constitutional law expert and professor at the Higher School of Economics Juliana Demesheva analyzes the proposed changes from the point of view of their conformity with the principle of separation of powers.

How Legitimate Are Referenda on Independence?

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.

Legal Gymnastics

Details: Law

Legal Gymnastics

Details: 21 April 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

On April 8, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation recognized as constitutional the 2012 amendments to the federal laws “On non-commercial organizations” and “On public associations”—the notorious “law on foreign agents.” IMR advisor Ekaterina Mishina comments on the ruling of the Constitutional Court and the court’s legal stance with regard to these amendments.

Dual Citizenship Check

Details: Law

Dual Citizenship Check

Details: 15 April 2014; Ekaterina Mishina

On March 31, 2014, Deputy Andrei Lugovoy, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, introduced a bill to the State Duma making the failure to provide information about foreign citizenship (nationality) to immigration authorities a criminally liable offense. IMR Advisor Ekaterina Mishina analyzes this bill and comments on Russia’s history of parliamentary attempts to criminalize dual citizenship.

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