Racism and xenophobia in Russia. Results of January 2012

In January 2012 from racist and neo-Nazi motivated attacks at least 11 people were injured, of which 1 person, a native of Azerbaijan, died, and 10 people were beaten. The incidents took place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Kaliningrad and Tver regions. Main part victims are activists of anti-fascist movements, most of whom attacks were carried out in connection with the actions on January 19 in memory of those killed Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova.

Was at least 4 acts of vandalism were recorded, which could be regarded as motivated by hatred or neo-Nazi ideological installations: suffered DK "Russia" in Serpukhov, the United Russia office in Saratov, an obelisk to workers was desecrated rear at the Smolensk cemetery in St. Petersburg. In addition, it was hacked and the cathedral in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was set on fire.

In January 2012, there were no convictions for cases of racist violence and racist vandalism, which would take into account hate motive.

But it was at least two sentences were handed down for xenophobic propaganda, in Arkhangelsk and Ulyanovsk regions. In these trials, 7 people were convicted: 6 were Article 282 of the Criminal Code were sentenced to compulsory labor, and one under Art. 280 and 282 of the Criminal Code - to conditional imprisonment. In another case, a criminal case against graffiti artists in Chita was terminated due to the expiration of the statute of limitations.

In January Three times (January 18, 21 and 23) the Federal List of Extremist materials. Items were added to it. 1067-1072. These updates included self xenophobic brochures related to the case of the founder of the newspaper "Pamyat - Novosibirsk" and Muslim materials (we cannot evaluate the content yet).

by the most a notable event in January in the field of public opposition to xenophobia became an all-Russian action in memory of Stanislav Markelov and Anastasia Baburova, held on January 19 in different cities of Russia. in Moscow in Anti-fascist procession and rally was attended by about 500-600 people.

Speakers of the rally were, in particular, against the participation of the far right in the post-election civil protest movement. Indeed, far-right groups, albeit not were numerous at the big rallies in December, are already prominently represented in spontaneously emerged coordinating bodies of the movement, namely, in the Initiative group (formed by self-declaration) and in its "political faction" - Russian political committee.

IN January, on the basis of the Initiative Group, the Civil Movement was proclaimed and his Civic Council was almost formed, in which the nationalists represented on a par with leftist and liberal groups. Quota ("curia"), allocated to the nationalists, filled in by representatives of the Russian Platform coalitions and "Russians", the co-chairs were: Konstantin Krylov, Vladimir Tor, Alexander Belov and Dmitry Demushkin.

After statements by President D. Medvedev on the liberalization of the law on political parties intensified party building on the far right. The most dynamic yet to be consider the party project "New Force", the leader of which is Professor MGIMO Valery Solovey.