Be extreme. Speak your mind...and go to jail

Yesterday, I saw a marvelous animated film called Persepolis, by a young Iranian woman now living in France. Her story of growing up with the revolution, war and repression reminded me, and taught my daughter and her friend, how much we take for granted our right to express ourselves. The news from Russia strikes the same chord. Just as the European Court of Human Rights announced its verdict finding Russia liable for the forced disappearance of Rouslan Alikhadjiev, former president of the Chechnya Parliament and independence supporter, the Russian Douma (lower house of Parliament) adopted amendments strengthening the repression of “extremism” . While this should be good news considering that racially motivated crimes come under the “extremist” heading, rare is the “extremist” crime in Russia that’s labeled racist. Instead, “extremist activities” are now those primarily aimed at opposing the current leader: defamation of a state representative; incitement to extremism (5-6 years in prison); participation in “mass disturbances” (now 12 rather than 10 years in prison); and financing and organization of “extremist” acts, including via brochures, telephone conversations of other means of communication. The motive of political or ideological hatred has been added to the Penal Code and the media gag order has been broadened. It was already forbidden for the official media to mention former chess champion Garry Kasparov due to his opposition to Putin. If the new law achieves final approval, the media may no longer disseminate information on organizations designated as “extremist”—not even to say that such an organization has been outlawed, as has the national-bolshevist party. Nonetheless, a liberal deputy intends to defer the law to the Constitutional court, in the hope of keeping other opponents from joining the 30 political prisoners currently behind bars.