Counting down to Russia’s 2016 Duma Elections
As Russia gears up for parliamentary elections this autumn, how can the country’s embattled opposition and civil society offer a real contest to the Kremlin’s “imitation democracy”? …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Banning the Majlis: Another Manifestation of Russian Repression of the Crimean Tatars
On 26 April, the Supreme Court of Crimea banned the Majlis, the representation of Crimean Tatars, recognising it as an extremist organisation. Thus, Russia has eliminated opposition activity by the Crimean Tatars, replacing the Majlis with Russian-created structures that present the façade of representing the Tatar community. The growing Russian...
IMF Praises Ukraine’s Progress
But country must still implement a series of reforms before funds start to flow again. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Crimean Tatars Ignore Ban on Remembrance under Russian FSB Surveillance
How is it possible to prohibit a people from honouring the victims of an act of genocide? With threats, detentions and even warnings to schools that the number of children absent will be noted, and their parents asked for explanations. The ban did not stop hundreds of Crimean Tatars gathering in Bakhchysarai, with the FSB out in full force and...
Cossacks Deny Assault on Navalny Group
Incident comes days after police in southern Russia detained the opposition leader in an anti-terrorist operation. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Crimean Tatars and the Politics of Eurovision
Ukraine’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest is as much a political message as a vote on musical taste. …read more Source: Carnegie Endowment for International...
The Tip of the Ukraine Iceberg: After the Dutch EU Referendum
Despite Kiev’s official rhetoric, the national consensus on integration with the EU is increasingly fragile. Pro-Russian forces are reasserting themselves in the southeast, while ultra-right activists are campaigning against the European Union in the west. On top of that, the current pro-European government has no real achievements to boast...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 12 May 2016
This report is for media and the general public. In Donetsk region, the SMM noted an increase in the number of recorded ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. In Luhansk region it continued to note a low level of ceasefire violations. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair to...
Heads Roll at Independent-Minded Russian Media Group
Ouster of three top editors follows police raids on other assets of owner Mikhail Prokhorov. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Turning Our Backs on Ukraine
Two years after the tumultuous events of 2014, Ukraine is falling out of international media — with consequences for Ukraine’s democracy. From OpenDemocracy. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
