THE YEARS following the collapse of the Soviet Union held great promises for the Russia's pro-democratic movement. Countless non-governmental organizations subsequently flourished, but now, the Kremlin is rolling back the freedoms offered through pro-democracy. Moscow has perpetrated this egregious offense against democracy by strangling the voice of civil society and by promoting anti-globalization evocative of nationalist sentiments.
The murder of Anna Politkovskaya, a prolific Russian journalist and voice against injustices committed by the Russian government, has brought suspicion worldwide to Moscow. Politkovskaya is credited with defusing Moscow's hostage debacle of 2002, in which Chechen rebels held civilians hostage in a theater. As for her journalistic exploits, she is also well-remembered for her account of "The Disappearing People." In this piece, Politkovskaya exposes the atrocities committed by a member of the notorious Special Purpose Detachment of Militsiya -- a division of Russian police committed to duties resembling a SWAT team. The more specific charges dealt with the fact that the officer kidnapped and tortured Chechen civilians.
Whether Politkovskaya's murder was committed by the government or through government agents is uncertain. But what is certain is that this highlights Moscow's cultivation of authoritarian and nationalist tendencies.
NGOs, which have for years been a source of healthy government criticism, are now being silenced through the introduction of a new bill providing Moscow a greater degree of control over NGOs while severely undermining their quintessential autonomy.
The bill seeks to limit the right of citizens to form unregistered NGOs thereby restricting the people's freedom of assembly. Moreover, the government is entitled the power to control NGO expenditures which substantially hamper their aims independent of the government. Foreign NGOs or those with foreign affiliation are outright outlawed. With this bill in effect, it's curious as to why these organizations are still NGOs. Formerly vocal outlets of Russian civil society have, in effect, been utterly transformed into government megaphones.
Russia anti-globalization sentiments under the Putin administration -- those underscored by the prohibition of foreign NGOs -- have been expressed elsewhere.
Russia's 2006 budget surplus has nearly reached a staggering $30 billion owing to several anti-globalization efforts. Included among them was a halt on monetary borrowing and resistance to the restrictions of worldwide financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Yet in spite of this large surplus, the government has not appropriated more money for a variety of social initiatives including welfare programs and healthcare.
What this serves to suggest is that Russia has not been waging a war against globalization for the benefit of the nation, but rather for the benefit of the government. Again, this corresponds closely with Russia's slide towards an unhealthy nationalism.
Even more indicative of Russia's nationalistic rising is the emergence of xenophobic factions. The Movement Against Illegal Immigration has sought the halt of Georgian immigration into Russia. Especially distressing is their desire to purge Russia of Georgians -- which is highly reminiscent of that of the Nazis. Although it's easy to dismiss the notion of Nazi-type ethnic-cleansing as the agenda of a minority of right-wing radicals, it's difficult to dismiss the fact that these xenophobic sentiments.
On Oct. 6, not too long ago, Russia deported over 100 Georgians even after some showed legal Russian passports under dubious suspicions of illicit business activity. Whatever Russia's motivations were in the deportations, one thing is clear: Georgia is on thin ice.
It's become apparent that Russia's political past has become an indelible stain on the fabric of Russian government. The murder of Politkovskaya has brought a spotlight on Russian government and specifically on the suppression of government criticism. While the government has not been implicated with any certainty, the murder can at least symbolize the gradual death of democracy in Russia. President Vladimir Putin, while being widely known for his fondness of judo, is becoming even more notorious for his lack of political judo -- something he certainly needs it if he is to bring Russia out of the quagmire of authoritarian and nationalist influence which has plagued the country for decades.
Charles Lee is a Cavalier Daily Viewpoint writer
Read More
PATEL: Personal development courses support students beyond the gradebook
By Heer Patel | 5 days agoThe University must rethink its approach to education beyond traditional major-specific requirements and mandate personal development courses.
EDITORIAL: Commercialization threatens U.Va.’s educational mission
By Editorial Board | 5 days agoAfter all, measuring the University’s worth in terms of accrued capital, operational efficiency and numerical rankings molds this space into just another cookie-cutter institution.
YOUNIS: Why every U.Va. student should say yes to English
By Ayat Younis | January 9, 2025Every student at the University, regardless of their primary field of study, can professionally and academically benefit from engaging with the English department.
