Russia passe law to jail people for disrespecting government

[Lanorth]

The Soviet Union is coming back....

Not necessarily, I mean, Vladimir Putin is an Ex-KGB Lieutenant Colonel, he probably wants the USSR to return, but if it does reform countries like Poland and other former USSR states will likely be stubborn to join if it does reform, but annexation might happen and Russia proved to be able to do that after they annexed Crimea in 2014. It may be the start of the end for the Russian democratic system which may lead to the USSR's reformation, an possibly, the Second Cold War, but after the Novichok incident in my home country of Britain in 2018 Russia became a state nobody liked but Belarus and some other countries like China, possibly North Korea, this will likely happen with the Soviet Union if it does reform it will not be popular and will likely collapse within a few years. Or at least, I think so. Besides, the former USSR's communist system did not work and that is another reason why it did collapse, they will have to develop something similar to the Chinese communist system in order for the nation to work.

[Otira]

To be fair, it's marginally better than having people disappear.

Probably leads to it.

The Russian Army was disappearing people in Chechnya 15 years ago. No reason to believe they won't start those tactics again.

[Lanorth]

The Russian Army was disappearing people in Chechnya 15 years ago. No reason to believe they won't start those tactics again.

I don't think it did stop...

[Nea Byzantia]

Yikes. Don’t really like that one being a God fearing freedom loving gun waving pure bread American.

Although more seriously, I feel that Russia is just gonna go back to being the USSR except no one will do anything about it this time. Don’t really like communism being a God fearing freedom loving gun waving pure bread American.

I highly doubt the Russians will go back to Communism; definitely not at this juncture, or in the near future. Orthodox Christianity has made a very strong comeback in the country since the fall of the Soviet Union, and I'm sure a lot of Russians remember the final, chaotic years of the 80s. Remember, the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, a mere 28 years ago. This attempt to link modern Russia with the Soviet regime is just an attempt by war-hawks to continue the Cold War.

[Aclion]

Silver lining is that they're at least being honest and saying they're jailing people for making fun of them instead of trying to label criticism as hate speech.

Yikes. Don’t really like that one being a God fearing freedom loving gun waving pure bread American.

Although more seriously, I feel that Russia is just gonna go back to being the USSR except no one will do anything about it this time. Don’t really like communism being a God fearing freedom loving gun waving pure bread American.

I highly doubt the Russians will go back to Communism; definitely not at this juncture, or in the near future. Orthodox Christianity has made a very strong comeback in the country since the fall of the Soviet Union, and I'm sure a lot of Russians remember the final, chaotic years of the 80s. Remember, the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, a mere 28 years ago. This attempt to link modern Russia with the Soviet regime is just an attempt by war-hawks to continue the Cold War.

People forget that the second largest party in Russia is the Communist party.

[The Galactic Liberal Democracy]

I think it would be cooler if they admitted they were sending people to jail and called it gulag.

[Purgatio]

Seems fair, people in high public service and public office dedicate a significant portion of their time, their life and their privacy, all for the sake of serving the people and making their country a better place, and yet there are always sickening ingrates in the population who don't accord the basic decency, respect, honour and dignity which ought to be accorded to people in high public service. This is a persistent problem in the population and if Russia is willing to take action to stamp out such disrespectful and disgraceful conduct, I'm all for it.

Thing is though, it isn’t always disrespectful. If you disagree with the way your country is being run, you dislike the way it’s being run. It doesn’t mean you hold no respect for the people who are running it, unless they’re slimy corrupt scumbags. I hated Obama’s Views and policies, but I still respected him because as you said, he takes away all privacy, time, and life towards his country. Russia violates a human right of free expression by passing this law, and so do all commie nations.

If you really loved your nation and it’s people, you’d do what you think is best for it. So if you were a leader of a country, wouldn’t you do what you think is best, even if others disagree with it? Not everyone is going to like you, and being critical towards someone who chose to put themselves in a prime spot for criticism isn’t worthy of prison time.

This law doesn't ban all criticism of the government, it simply bans disrespecting the government. You can always make respectful and intellectually-supported criticisms of the government in a fashion which treats government officials and political leaders with the respect they are due, recognising that you and them disagree about how best to run the country but you recognise that they are acting in good faith to make the country a better place in the manner they think best and in their assessment. That kind of fair criticism is miles apart from the kind of dissent we've seen in Russia, whether its Pussy Riot singing lyrics like "Putin Chickened Out" or "Putin Is Wetting Himself" or Petr Pavlensky crudely nailing down his genitals as a way of 'protesting' Putin. That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

[The International Possum Brotherhood]

Incredibly shitty law.

(puppet of herp btw)

[United States of Americanas]

In my eyes this is a RED ALERT situation. Vladimir Putin is the same level of plague that Saddam Hussein was. Him and his regime must fall. Seal Team 6 you are go for kill op!

[Luziyca]

What the hell, Russia?

There's a difference between advocating for an overthrow of the government, and "disrespecting" the government. And really, I'm confident it'll be used to clamp down on Russian opposition even further than they already have.

[Belinka]

Thing is though, it isn’t always disrespectful. If you disagree with the way your country is being run, you dislike the way it’s being run. It doesn’t mean you hold no respect for the people who are running it, unless they’re slimy corrupt scumbags. I hated Obama’s Views and policies, but I still respected him because as you said, he takes away all privacy, time, and life towards his country. Russia violates a human right of free expression by passing this law, and so do all commie nations.

If you really loved your nation and it’s people, you’d do what you think is best for it. So if you were a leader of a country, wouldn’t you do what you think is best, even if others disagree with it? Not everyone is going to like you, and being critical towards someone who chose to put themselves in a prime spot for criticism isn’t worthy of prison time.

This law doesn't ban all criticism of the government, it simply bans disrespecting the government. You can always make respectful and intellectually-supported criticisms of the government in a fashion which treats government officials and political leaders with the respect they are due, recognising that you and them disagree about how best to run the country but you recognise that they are acting in good faith to make the country a better place in the manner they think best and in their assessment. That kind of fair criticism is miles apart from the kind of dissent we've seen in Russia, whether its Pussy Riot singing lyrics like "Putin Chickened Out" or "Putin Is Wetting Himself" or Petr Pavlensky crudely nailing down his genitals as a way of 'protesting' Putin. That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

In all honesty I doubt these Russians deserve respect, or many politicians. Corruption is very high in Russia. I think this new law is really just them getting another way to become more in control.

Also they kinda seem like whiny bitches this way. If someone calls a politician a meanie poopoo head they go to jail? Not really cool.

[Farnhamia]

In my eyes this is a RED ALERT situation. Vladimir Putin is the same level of plague that Saddam Hussein was. Him and his regime must fall. Seal Team 6 you are go for kill op!

Do not call for the killing of people here. I'm sure you meant it as a joke. It wasn't funny.

[Belinka]

That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Also, do Russian citizens get the same respect from Russian politicians that Russian politicians expect and “deserve”? Really doubt it, considering how Russia is getting closer and closer to North Korea every day.

[Sicaris]

In my eyes this is a RED ALERT situation. Vladimir Putin is the same level of plague that Saddam Hussein was. Him and his regime must fall. Seal Team 6 you are go for kill op!

No.

[Andsed]

So basically Russia passed a law so they could jail people for mocking them? God they are sensitive. The government has no right do this kind of pathetic bullshit. If you don’t want to be mocked don’t be a politician.

[Nea Byzantia]

In my eyes this is a RED ALERT situation. Vladimir Putin is the same level of plague that Saddam Hussein was. Him and his regime must fall. Seal Team 6 you are go for kill op!

Take it down a notch, John Bolton.

[Scomagia]

An illiberal democracy has no respect for dissent? Shocking!

[Andsed]

Thing is though, it isn’t always disrespectful. If you disagree with the way your country is being run, you dislike the way it’s being run. It doesn’t mean you hold no respect for the people who are running it, unless they’re slimy corrupt scumbags. I hated Obama’s Views and policies, but I still respected him because as you said, he takes away all privacy, time, and life towards his country. Russia violates a human right of free expression by passing this law, and so do all commie nations.

If you really loved your nation and it’s people, you’d do what you think is best for it. So if you were a leader of a country, wouldn’t you do what you think is best, even if others disagree with it? Not everyone is going to like you, and being critical towards someone who chose to put themselves in a prime spot for criticism isn’t worthy of prison time.

This law doesn't ban all criticism of the government, it simply bans disrespecting the government. You can always make respectful and intellectually-supported criticisms of the government in a fashion which treats government officials and political leaders with the respect they are due, recognising that you and them disagree about how best to run the country but you recognise that they are acting in good faith to make the country a better place in the manner they think best and in their assessment. That kind of fair criticism is miles apart from the kind of dissent we've seen in Russia, whether its Pussy Riot singing lyrics like "Putin Chickened Out" or "Putin Is Wetting Himself" or Petr Pavlensky crudely nailing down his genitals as a way of 'protesting' Putin. That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Uh no. A person has the right to mock the government as much they want and however they want as long as it is not hurting someone else or illegal. If Putin can't handle some mean song well tough luck for him because if your going to be a politician you need to have some balls and deal with mockery.

[Scomagia]

In my eyes this is a RED ALERT situation. Vladimir Putin is the same level of plague that Saddam Hussein was. Him and his regime must fall. Seal Team 6 you are go for kill op!

Do not call for the killing of people here. I'm sure you meant it as a joke. It wasn't funny.

It was funny, actually.

NSG: Where you can joke as an actual communist about "liquidating" the bourgeoisie but a joke about assassinating a strongman tyrant is somehow a bridge too far.

[Shofercia]

nods Leninly

Russia’s parliament has approved a controversial law that allows courts to jail people for online “disrespect” of government or state officials, including the president, Vladimir Putin.

The law, which critics say is reminiscent of Soviet-era legislation used to target political dissidents, stipulates fines of up to 100,000 roubles (£1,155) for “indecent” online posts that demonstrate a “blatant disrespect for society, the country, Russia’s official state symbols, the constitution, or the authorities”.

US in virtual tie with Russia on global confidence, poll finds (just left this here cause it's funny as shit)

Repeat offenders can be hit with fines of up to twice this sum, or 15 days behind bars. 

Alexander Verkhovsky, the head of the Moscow-based Sova Centre, which monitors abuse of anti-extremism legislation, said people could face prosecution for online comments such as “Putin is a bastard”, or jokes about parliament. Others expressed concern that the law was so vaguely worded that almost any online criticism of the authorities, including satirical memes, could be construed as “disrespect”. 

“Soon we’ll be telling jokes about the authorities in whispers in the kitchen,” Sergey Shvakin, a Moscow-based lawyer, wrote on Facebook. 

The law, which was authored by Andrei Klishas, a senator from Putin’s ruling United Russia party, was criticised by some MPs and government officials. “One of the tasks of government bodies is to calmly hear out criticism of its work,” Alexei Volin, the deputy communications minister, told the Vedomosti newspaper. 

“If we stop calling a fool a fool, he won’t stop being a fool,” said Sergei Ivanov, an MP with the nationalist LDPR party, which usually backs the Kremlin on major issues.

Klishas denied the law was a form of censorship and said the authorities were “in and of themselves worthy of respect”. Putin is expected to sign the law into force in the coming weeks.

Parliament also approved separate legislation, likewise authored by Klishin, that will give the authorities powers to block webpages that publish “disrespectful” material or “fake news”. Klishin insisted, however, that the law would not be used to target independent or opposition websites, saying it would not affect “traditional media”.

The laws come after Putin’s trust ratings hit a 13-year low of 33% in the wake of a vastly unpopular move to increase the national retirement age by five years. The results of January’s poll, carried out by the state-backed Public Opinion Research Centre, represented a decline of 37 percentage points from 2015. 

Putin is thought to be extremely sensitive to perceived insults. One of his first acts when he came to power in 2000 was to target a satirical television show called Kukly (Puppets) that was broadcast by the NTV television station.

In one episode, aired in January 2000, Putin was depicted as an evil, infant gnome muttering obscenities. Within months, the NTV channel was taken under state control, and jokes about the ex-KGB officer quickly disappeared from Russia’s television screens.

Russia will soon be jailing and fining people for "disrespecting" government officials. What does NSG think of this Soviet-esque law? Personally, I think it's Draconian as hell and a not-so-thinly-veiled attempt a certainly criticisms of government officials. But I'm sure many will be nodding in approval.

You do realize that the Guardian's Article doesn't actually link to the law, right? I'd much rather read the actual law, than the Guardian's "creative" interpretation of it. Obviously jailing people for merely indecent online posts is wrong, but I remember a HuffPo article claiming that someone in Russia was jailed for saying "God doesn't exist" online; I looked up the case - he was actually jailed for swatting.

[Scomagia]

nods Leninly

Russia will soon be jailing and fining people for "disrespecting" government officials. What does NSG think of this Soviet-esque law? Personally, I think it's Draconian as hell and a not-so-thinly-veiled attempt a certainly criticisms of government officials. But I'm sure many will be nodding in approval.

You do realize that the Guardian's Article doesn't actually link to the law, right? I'd much rather read the actual law, than the Guardian's "creative" interpretation of it. Obviously jailing people for merely indecent online posts is wrong, but I remember a HuffPo article claiming that someone in Russia was jailed for saying "God doesn't exist" online; I looked up the case - he was actually jailed for swatting.

That's fair. Despite this sounding like something that Putin would probably be behind, it also could be a misrepresentation of the facts. It's believable but also could be bullshit.

[Purgatio]

This law doesn't ban all criticism of the government, it simply bans disrespecting the government. You can always make respectful and intellectually-supported criticisms of the government in a fashion which treats government officials and political leaders with the respect they are due, recognising that you and them disagree about how best to run the country but you recognise that they are acting in good faith to make the country a better place in the manner they think best and in their assessment. That kind of fair criticism is miles apart from the kind of dissent we've seen in Russia, whether its Pussy Riot singing lyrics like "Putin Chickened Out" or "Putin Is Wetting Himself" or Petr Pavlensky crudely nailing down his genitals as a way of 'protesting' Putin. That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

In all honesty I doubt these Russians deserve respect, or many politicians. Corruption is very high in Russia. I think this new law is really just them getting another way to become more in control.

Also they kinda seem like whiny bitches this way. If someone calls a politician a meanie poopoo head they go to jail? Not really cool.

You have it backwards, it's the critics who are disrespectful who are the immature ones. Again, I'm not opposed to criticism of governmental actions, which is normal because reasonable people will always have different views on what promotes the national interest. But a mature adult would be able to make those criticisms without resorting to the desperate approach of, to use your words, calling a "politician a meanie poopoo head". And however much you might disagree with Russian politics, leaders play a crucial role in the gargatuan task that is steering the ship of State and providing a leading, coordinating role in our society. There is a dignity, poise and elegance to high political office that in a civilised society we, as mature adults, should accord to those holding positions of power, influence and importance. Refusing to accord that dignity to leaders is a sign of particularly culturally-backward critics.

[Purgatio]

This law doesn't ban all criticism of the government, it simply bans disrespecting the government. You can always make respectful and intellectually-supported criticisms of the government in a fashion which treats government officials and political leaders with the respect they are due, recognising that you and them disagree about how best to run the country but you recognise that they are acting in good faith to make the country a better place in the manner they think best and in their assessment. That kind of fair criticism is miles apart from the kind of dissent we've seen in Russia, whether its Pussy Riot singing lyrics like "Putin Chickened Out" or "Putin Is Wetting Himself" or Petr Pavlensky crudely nailing down his genitals as a way of 'protesting' Putin. That kind of blatantly disrespectful behaviour attacking the basic human dignity of Russia's political leaders is crude, uncouth and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.

Uh no. A person has the right to mock the government as much they want and however they want as long as it is not hurting someone else or illegal. If Putin can't handle some mean song well tough luck for him because if your going to be a politician you need to have some balls and deal with mockery.

Something isn't a right just because you say it is. We accept limitations on people's freedom of speech all the time and there's no reason in my mind why a good citizen of his country could possibly be worried about going to jail under this law. Just be a kind, decent and respectful person, who treats other people with dignity and respect just like you'd want to be treated, and you don't go to jail. Be a verbally-abusive and disrespectful asshole, and you risk jail-time. It's not hard. It's not a difficult burden to discharge.

[Andsed]

In all honesty I doubt these Russians deserve respect, or many politicians. Corruption is very high in Russia. I think this new law is really just them getting another way to become more in control.

Also they kinda seem like whiny bitches this way. If someone calls a politician a meanie poopoo head they go to jail? Not really cool.

You have it backwards, it's the critics who are disrespectful who are the immature ones. Again, I'm not opposed to criticism of governmental actions, which is normal because reasonable people will always have different views on what promotes the national interest. But a mature adult would be able to make those criticisms without resorting to the desperate approach of, to use your words, calling a "politician a meanie poopoo head". And however much you might disagree with Russian politics, leaders play a crucial role in the gargatuan task that is steering the ship of State and providing a leading, coordinating role in our society. There is a dignity, poise and elegance to high political office that in a civilised society we, as mature adults, should accord to those holding positions of power, influence and importance. Refusing to accord that dignity to leaders is a sign of particularly culturally-backward critics.

Dude politicians are not inherently deserving of respect. If they want respect they should earn it. There is nothing wrong with mocking politician as long as your not hurting anyone else. If this law is truly being implemented(I need some more sources to confirm this) than that is just pathetic of the Russian government.

Uh no. A person has the right to mock the government as much they want and however they want as long as it is not hurting someone else or illegal. If Putin can't handle some mean song well tough luck for him because if your going to be a politician you need to have some balls and deal with mockery.

Something isn't a right just because you say it is. We accept limitations on people's freedom of speech all the time and there's no reason in my mind why a good citizen of his country could possibly be worried about going to jail under this law. Just be a kind, decent and respectful person, who treats other people with dignity and respect just like you'd want to be treated, and you don't go to jail. Be a verbally-abusive and disrespectful asshole, and you risk jail-time. It's not hard. It's not a difficult burden to discharge.

It is wrong to imprison someone because they were mean to a politician because surprise surprise you hurt no one by doing so.

[Purgatio]

You have it backwards, it's the critics who are disrespectful who are the immature ones. Again, I'm not opposed to criticism of governmental actions, which is normal because reasonable people will always have different views on what promotes the national interest. But a mature adult would be able to make those criticisms without resorting to the desperate approach of, to use your words, calling a "politician a meanie poopoo head". And however much you might disagree with Russian politics, leaders play a crucial role in the gargatuan task that is steering the ship of State and providing a leading, coordinating role in our society. There is a dignity, poise and elegance to high political office that in a civilised society we, as mature adults, should accord to those holding positions of power, influence and importance. Refusing to accord that dignity to leaders is a sign of particularly culturally-backward critics.

Dude politicians are not inherently deserving of respect. If they want respect they should earn it. There is nothing wrong with mocking politician as long as your not hurting anyone else. If this law is truly being implemented(I need some more sources to confirm this) than that is just pathetic of the Russian government.

They earned it by taking up positions of civil service and governance. You respect them because it is the office they occupy which deserves respect, not the people in and of themselves. Much like how we generally believe that parents or teachers deserve honour and respect for the positions they occupy, it's the same with those who occupy a high office of authority where they must sacrifice their time, effort and labour to serve the interests of a wider society rather than themself.