New "deprivation"

So, President Putin signed the law on foreign agents. The key legislative innovation was the opportunity to recognize "a foreign media that performs the functions of a foreign agent, except for a legal entity ... an individual." As the saying goes, this was not there before for individuals to equate to organizations.

In its former version, the law, which allowed the recognition of the media and public organizations to recognize “foreign agents”, has already had a destructive effect on society. He led not only to the fact that in the newsletter of different organizations there was a postscript about marking himself by a “foreign agent” by court decision, but also to the fact that some organizations generally ceased to operate. And fulfill their tasks in public service.

These are mainly human rights organizations. But in those regions where there were no such organizations, “foreign agents” were called anyone. For example, in the Altai Territory, in the city of Biysk, such an agent, an independent organization “Choice” was recognized , which helped drug users avoid HIV infection. She closed. Nearby, in the Altai Republic, a foreign agent recognized the “School of Ecology of the Soul“ Tengri ”, which was engaged in environmental projects, environmental education and development of the national park. And so on. We must think that the quality of life of Russians has not grown thanks to all this. But, obviously, the“ educational ”action of this law is recognized as unsatisfactory. The new law will make our life even more interesting.

Some potential persons involved in future administrative cases began to declare themselves with "foreign agents" ahead of them. Corresponding avatars appeared in social networks. Such a carnival tried to demonstrate the absurdity of another legislative innovation. But there are so many such an absurdity in our life that you will not surprise anyone anymore. Everyone is tired.

Having received the status of a "foreign agent", it seems to be impossible to lose it: such a procedure in the law is simply absent. "Agents" will have to report this status in all their publications .... In general, always. Therefore, immediately, of course, various historical analogies arose. They recall the "yellow stars" that the Nazis obliged the Jews before proceeding with their physical destruction. Before destroying the Jews, it was necessary to socially isolate them, marginalize, depersonalize. Yellow stars contributed to this. Analyzing the catastrophe of European Jewry, some social thinkers wrote that the mass, even passive resistance of Europeans could noticeably interfere with the Nazis. There is a story about the Danish king, who allegedly attached a yellow star to the vestment to support the Danish Jews. They say this is still a myth. But if, in fact, the yellow stars in those days dared to sew many non -Jews on their clothes, would this fate of the Jews easier, and would stop the Nazis? The question is interesting. But he remained unanswered.

Of course, all historical analogies are always arbitrary and work poorly. And today, thank God, all the same. Yes, and Jews were still born. The "foreign agent" will be appointed. Moreover, representatives of the authorities do not hide that the law will apply selectively and completely arbitrarily. And all potential "agents" find themselves in a situation of uncertainty: what to wait now?

Therefore, if you ask for historical experience to tell an analogy, it is more appropriate to remember the deprivation . Such an unofficial name was received in Soviet Russia people who are deprived of the right to elect and be elected to the authorities, according to the first Soviet Constitution. It was adopted by the V All -Russian Congress of Soviets in the summer of 1918. Article 65 determined the list of such people. These were “persons resorting to hired work in order to make profit”, “persons living on unaccounted income, somehow interest on capital, income from enterprises, income from property”, also “monks and spiritual servants” of churches and religious cults and others. A total of 7 categories.

It was explained that the introduction of this category was caused by the conditions of the civil war. But the civil war ended, and no one began to change the constitution. Disorders at first glance did not lose too much. They did not participate in the votes in a variety of elections, and before the elections the lists were necessarily compiled and openly published. Their dependents also lost their rights and fell into these lists.

In a second glance, deprivation of electoral rights deprived of the opportunity, for example, to enter higher educational institutions. The deprived of the state (and the other was not) the pension was not supplied. Most of the deprivation were by no means a former city bourgeoisie or former white officers, but peasants, the so -called "fists". And when collectivization began, people from the lists of devoid of electoral rights could not join new collective farms. Therefore, during taxation, they were supposed to be a ruined “firm task”, that is, they were doomed to extreme poverty. In 1928, grocery cards were introduced, but the "deprived" could not get them. District, called up in the army, could not count on any team position. In general, this status threw a person from the course of "normal life."

This practice of deprivation of rights developed in the 1920s gradually. The lists of "deprivation" either grew or decreased depending on the political situation, and the restrictions for them grew.

There were few deprived, a maximum of a few percent of the inhabitants of the cities and villages. It was almost impossible to regain suffrage. It was possible to petition about this, and former manufacturers and relatives of the clergy wrote humiliated letters “into power” with assurances in their perfect loyalty.

Only under the new "Stalin" Constitution of 1936 the deprivation of electoral rights was canceled. By this time, various repressive campaigns had been going on throughout the country for several years. The "deprived" were the first in the lists of persons to be repressed. They were the first to fall under the rink. The list was already ready.

"Foreign Agent" is the status of "for future use." In it, not specific insane conditions prescribed in the new law are important, but the very existence of this indelible mark on individuals. And of course, the very appearance of the list of people that can now be applied to “list measures” is important. Moreover, the basis for using these measures will be precisely and only membership in such a list.

The label may look quite innocent: it would seem that it is for value, “the right to elect and be elected” for most residents of Russia in 1918! .. One deprivation will entail another. What measures will be, it is unknown, now opportunities have been created for such legislative creativity. And this is the first time in the recent history of Russia. Prior to this category of officially rejected people, we have not had a long time.

But unlike the Jewish "Yellow Star", which was hung on all Jews indiscriminately, there will still be some selection in "foreign agents". Leviathan will not give them all in a row - in this case, the "educational" measure will lose its meaning. Therefore, the opinion is that this status can become something like a sign of human quality. Perhaps this will turn out.

Mikhail Germans - philosopher

The "Opinion" expressed in the heading of the point of view may not coincide with the position of the editorial office