Post date: Aug 26, 2013 5:0:42 PM
Human rights activists say that a decree signed by President Putin which limits the freedom of movement and bans protests during the Sochi Olymics contradicts the Russian constitution.
SOCHI, RUSSIA (AUGUST 24, 2013) (REUTERS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to tighten security in theBlack Sea resort of Sochi during the 2014 Winter Olympics, imposing restrictions on freedom of movement and assembly that critics said violated human rights.
The decree creates a "prohibited zone" encompassing much of the sprawling city, barring travel into Sochi by road without special permission and banning public gatherings "not connected" with the Olympics in high security areas on land and sea.Published in the official newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta on Friday (August 23), the decree enters into force on Jan. 7, a month before the opening ceremony, and expires on March 21, a month after the Olympics end.
Human rights activists said the restrictions were draconian.
"We see an obvious violation of citizens' rights, especially the ones described in the well-known article 31 of the Russian constitution which guarantees citizens' rights to peaceful demonstrations, marches and rallies, et cetera. Also it violates another article of the constitution the freedom of movements," said Sergei Nikitin, head of Amnesty International in Russia.
"I do not see any reasons to introduce a state of emergency on the territory which is designated to hold the world's sports festival which is called the Sochi Olympic games," he added.
Tatyana Lokshina from Human Rights Watch says restrictions in the decree apply to the limited areas and it is important to see how law enforcement bodies interpret and apply the decree.
"It states that there are two types of zones which fall under this decree. These zones mainly include Olympic venues and in particular remote Olympic venues where no one with common sense would organise any protests anyway," Lokshina said.
"Today it is a question of how it is applied, whether it will be applied broadly. But we will know this only in January when the decree comes into effect," she added.
Putin has staked his reputation on the security and success of Russia's first Olympics since the Soviet era and has ordered law enforcement authorities to prevent any attacks by Islamist militants based in the nearby North Caucasusprovinces.
In early July, insurgent leader Doku Umarov revoked a previous order to refrain from attacking Russian targets outside the North Caucasus and urged militants to use "maximum force" to prevent Putin staging the Games.
Russian gay rights activists said they planned to hold a gay pride march in Sochion the opening day of the Olympics.
A law Putin signed this year banning gay "propaganda" has been criticised by Western governments and prompted calls for a boycott of the Olympics. Russia has offered assurances that the law will not affect athletes or spectators.
In the decree, Putin said its purpose was the "implementation of increased security measures" called for in a law adopted in 2007, when the Olympics were awarded toSochi.
Some Sochi residents were critical of the decree but were cautious of criticising it on camera.
"It is about freedom of speech, so in general it is not normal, but I cannot say anything against the decision of the government. It means they think it is necessary," said Gennady Prokopov.
But many supported the restrictions and clearly expressed their anti-gay stand.
"People look at it with disgust, all these gays, rallies, what is it all about? What is it? Why do they need to rally? What do they need to talk about?" said Dzhambot Pachuliya.
"Such (pro-gay) rallies we definitely do not need, because personal convictions are a private matter and children should not know about them," said Veronika.
The adoption by Russia's parliament of the new anti-gay propaganda law led to calls for a boycott of the Sochi Olympics. International Olympic Committee presidentJacques Rogge asked the Russian government for explanations how the law would be applied during the Games..