A seminar on the topic “Problems of applying anti-extremist legislation and defence of the discriminated groups” will take place at the Anti-Discrimination Centre “Memorial” on February 17 at 18:00 at the address: 7-ya Krasnoarmeiskaya Street, house 25/14, office 410.
A part of the so-called Russian “anti-extremist legislation” has generated heated debates from the moment of its inception. The growth of socio-political activity and continued increase of politically motivated persecutions for criticising the authorities are compelled to draw attention to this issue once again. It is causing to question the legality of criminal proceedings under such Articles as Art. 282, practice of its application, as well as interpretation of its contents in the modern day.
Moreover, actual discrimination of various minorities, including ethnic and sexual, continues to take place. Problems, such as homophobia, anti-Semitism, anti-Gypsism, caucasaphobia and migrant-phobia still exist, hate crimes occur against representatives of society’s vulnerable groups. The human rights to individuality and self-identity are being threatened, effective protection is almost non-existent.
Every person has the right to individuality and to define one’s own identity. The realisation of this right, the opportunity to perceive and accept the other as one is, as well as the creation of defence mechanisms are all important indicators of society’s level of openness. However, the problem has several stages: humanitarian – associated with the social structure and level of freedom, and legal – determined by the legislation and law enforcement practices. All of these topics will be discussed and reviewed in the seminar.
Dmitry Dubrovsky – candidate of historical sciences, associate professor of the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St. Petersburg State University, research associate at the Russian Museum of Ethnography – will speak as an expert on problems with anti-extremist legislation. Additionally, practical questions, related to understanding hate crimes in the Russian legal system, will be discussed.
Problems of the discriminated groups in the modern Russia will be discussed by their representatives.