Examining Russia

13.30-15.00. Creating Consent in Contemporary Russia
In the last years, it has been widely reported how human rights in several post-Soviet states have been curtailed. In Russia under President Vladimir Putin, increasing restrictions on the freedom of assembly, expression, and association have been implemented, and their impact on human rights has been well documented. But how do these repressive measures aect targeted individuals? And how can these problems be addressed?

Participants:
Dr. Mikhail Savva (Krasnodar/Kyiv), professor in political science and former chairman of Southern Regional Resource Centre.
Zoya Svetova (Moscow), journalist and human rights defender, expert on the justice system and prison conditions. Currently reporting for Open Russia.
Dr. Lena Jonson, Associated Research Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at UI.

15.00-15.30 Coffee break

15.30-16.30 Elections: The rise of a new grassroots movement?
During recent local elections, Russia’s democratic opposition successfully promoted candidates and mobilized voter support. Some state that a new, young grassroots movement might be on the rise. Others claim significant parts of the political opposition have been disarmed thereby, eectively being absorbed by the complex art of local management for years to come. How should we understand recent events, and which are the implications for the upcoming presidential elections?

Participants:
Natalia Gryaznevich (Saint Petersburg), Member of the federal council of Open Russia. Candidate for Parnas Party during the last parliamentary elections.
Dr. Mikhail Savva (Krasnodar/Kyiv), professor in political science and former chairman of Southern Regional Resource Centre.

The seminars are organized in cooperation with Östgruppen.

Welcome!