When you can no longer protest

I got this from Amnesty International: 

 http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1770&ea.campaign.id=22244&utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Informz

When you can no longer protest

	Freedom of Expression under threat in Russia

You've just been beaten up. 

This has never happened to you before. It is absolutely terrifying.

If only there was a police officer on patrol to protect you... 

This spring, a small group activists who promote gay rights held a peaceful demonstration in downtown Moscow protesting new and drastically homophobic laws.

Some people didn't like their message, or who they were, and attacked them. The police were there, but just stood by and watched as the activists took a beating.

To make matters worse, instead of arresting the attackers, the police threw the victims of the beatings in jail.

Please sign our petition to stop this injustice.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of repression in Russia.

Ever since President Putin returned to office in March 2012, the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly have been under increasing attack, despite being guaranteed by the Russian Constitution and international human rights treaties to which Russia is party.

• the right of citizens to protest is being curtailed.
• the right to organize has been limited through strict new regulations for non-profits and non-government organizations, and
• activists who dare to stand up for the human rights of lesbian, gay, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and intersex (LGBTI) people risk imprisonment.

Please join me in calling on President Putin to stop the attacks on freedom of expression and guarantee the human rights of all Russians. 


Thank you.

Sincerely,


Alex Neve
Secretary General, Amnesty International Canada