Russia
Russia
| Right | Section | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom of Association | History | Possibly the first mention of freedom of association in the law of the Russian state is in the October Manifesto, issued by Tsar Nicholas II in response to the mass unrest of the Revolution of 1905. The Manifesto pledged to guarantee to all Russian citizens “the essential foundations of civil freedom, based on the principles of genuine inviolability of the person, freedom of conscience, speech, assembly, and association.” “Manifesto of October 17, 1905.” Seton Hall University, July 24, 2023, https://academic.shu.edu/russianhistory/index.php/Manifesto_of_October_17th,_1905#:~:text=The%20disturbances%20that%20have%20taken,is%20dangerous%20to%20Our%20state. |
| Freedom of Expression | History | Article 29 of the 1993 Constitution of the Russian Federation is the first assertion of freedom of expression in the country’s independent history. It provides: “1. Everyone shall be guaranteed the freedom of thought and speech. 2. Propaganda or agitation, which arouses social, racial, national, or religious hatred or hostility shall be prohibited. Propoganda of social, racial, national, religious, or linguistic supremacy shall also be prohibited. 3. Nobody shall be forced to express his thoughts and convictions or to deny them. 4. Everyone has the right to freely seek, receive, transmit, produce, and disseminate information by any legal means. The list of information, which constitute State secrets, shall be determined by federal law."
That said, under the Russian Socialist Soviet Republic this right was articulated as early as 1923 through the Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
“Constitution of the Russian Federation.” University of Minnesota Human Rights Library. Accessed July 17, 2023. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/constitution-russia.html “Constitution (Basic Law) of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 1923/24.” World Constitutions Illustrated, Heinonline. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://heinonline.org/HOL/P?h=hein.journals/intcon5&i=426 “Russian Federation 1993 (rev. 2014)”. Constitute Project Accessed June 7, 2024. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Russia_2014#s166. |
| Freedom of Religion | History | Russias history with the freedom of religion is somewhat complex. In its first constitution in 1906, Chapter II, Article 49 states, “Russian subjects shall enjoy liberty of conscience. The conditions under which this liberty is enjoyed shall be determined by law.” However, this does not necessarily mean there is a freedom to religion and to practice such religion. With that being said, the 1918 Declaration of the Rights of the Laboring and Exploited People does outline the freedom of religion as well as the separation of church and state, “Every citizen may profess or none at all. Any legal disabilities with the profession of any religion or none are abolished.” The Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations was ratified on September 26, 1997. This law grants religious freedom, equality, and prohibits religious discrimination.
References: “Northwestern SSO.” n.d. Prd-Nusso.it.northwestern.edu. Accessed June 21, 2024. https://heinonline-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/stwar000 1&id=547&men_tab=srchresults. “Northwestern SSO.” n.d. Prd-Nusso.it.northwestern.edu. Accessed June 21, 2024. https://heinonline-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/HOL/Page?collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/in tcon5&id=426&men_tab=srchresults. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “Russia: Information on the Law ‘on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations’ and Its Impact on Religious Minorities.” Refworld. Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, November 1997. Last modified November 1997. Accessed June 27, 2022. https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab968.html. |
| Freedom of the Press | History | Article 79 of the 1906 Russian Constitution first protected press freedom: “Within the limits fixed by law every one may express his thoughts by word or writing and circulate them by means of the press or otherwise” (Northern Virginia Community College, “Fundamental Laws, 1906” ). Today, Article 29 of Russia’s 1993 Constitution protects press freedom: “Everyone shall have the right to freely look for, receive, transmit, produce and distribute information by any legal way. The list of data comprising state secrets shall be determined by a federal law. The freedom of mass communication shall be guaranteed. Censorship shall be banned" (Constitute Project, “Russia’s Constitution of 1993 with Amendments through 2014” ). |
| Privacy Rights | History | In 1906, the Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire were the first to grant Russians “sanctity of the home and property.” This was the first time Russians were granted civil liberties (Boris Yeltsin Presidential Library, “‘Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire’ Approved”). https://www.prlib.ru/en/history/619222 |
| Voting Rights and Suffrage | History | Article 81 states that the President is elected every 6 years via universal, equal, and direct suffrage by a secret ballot. The voting age in Russia is 18 years of age. (Constitute Project, “ Russia’s Constitution of 1993 with Amendments through 2014” ). |