The SOVA Center and Memorial held a round table on the problems of countering xenophobia and limiting freedom of expression

June 12, 2011 of the year Information and Analytical Center "Sova" together with the International "Memorial" within the framework of the 6th Moscow International Open Book Festival held a round table "Opposition xenophobia and restriction of freedom of expression”.

The discussion was attended by the director of the SOVA Center Alexander Verkhovsky, the employees of the Center Natalia Yudina and Maria Rozalskaya.

Our center in the course of monitoring, studying certain cases on the facts persecution for xenophobic statements, regularly faces the problem of how to assess how justified in a particular case the restriction of freedom statements. Sometimes the authorities are persecuted for undoubtedly criminal appeals, like murders. Sometimes persecuted for statements that it is very difficult for a sane person to evaluate as dangerous or even harmful. But many more controversial cases.

During the round table discussion participants and the audience discussed examples such cases.

The director of "Sova" during his speech also emphasized that poor quality and incomprehensible anti-extremist legislation greatly complicates the already difficult (judging by the European experience) problem.

The discussion touched upon such issues as the need to balance the protection of freedom of speech and the suppression of racist propaganda, the underdevelopment anti-extremism law, conducting an examination in cases of extremism.

The SOVA Center also presented a collection of reports on problems in the field of nationalism and xenophobia, illegal anti-extremism and freedom of conscience in 2010.

Sources

• Own inf.