I am fairly sure that most of you are familiar with the EuroMaidan protests in Ukraine against the corrupt government of Viktor Yanukovych. This past week on January 16, the Yanukovych controlled Rada (parliament) passed draconian legislation to suppress freedom of speech and assembly in Ukraine. Yanukovych signed the repressive measures into law the next day.
For all practical purposes, mass protests like EuroMaidan are now illegal with a penalty of 10-15 years in prison. It is now against the law to investigate corruption/criminal activity by police, judges, state officials. It is against the law to criticize the government in social media such as Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte, etc. All organizations that receive funding from abroad (even NGOs and churches) must register as 'foreign agents'. Members of parliament (MPs) no longer enjoy immunity from prosecution (intended for opposition MPs). Perhaps most disturbing is the 'libel law' which was purposefully left vague. Unauthorized criticism of the government by citizens and/or journalists can result in a criminal charge of libel against the state. The new measures have drawn condemnation from all around the world.
I just wanted to let everyone here know what is happening in Little Russia.
For all practical purposes, mass protests like EuroMaidan are now illegal with a penalty of 10-15 years in prison. It is now against the law to investigate corruption/criminal activity by police, judges, state officials. It is against the law to criticize the government in social media such as Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte, etc. All organizations that receive funding from abroad (even NGOs and churches) must register as 'foreign agents'. Members of parliament (MPs) no longer enjoy immunity from prosecution (intended for opposition MPs). Perhaps most disturbing is the 'libel law' which was purposefully left vague. Unauthorized criticism of the government by citizens and/or journalists can result in a criminal charge of libel against the state. The new measures have drawn condemnation from all around the world.
I just wanted to let everyone here know what is happening in Little Russia.
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