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State Duma Decides to Violate the Rights of Citizens in Expectation of Terrorism
December 17, The State Duma passed the bill “On Terrorism Control” on first reading. As many as 385 deputies voted in favor of the bill, while the minimum requirement is 226 votes. Voted against the bill were 47 deputies (46 – KPRF, one – Rodina), one abstention.
The bill establishes the legal and organizational bases for terrorism control, determines the main directions, forms and methods of resistance, jurisdiction of the state agencies, local self-government and public organizations in this area.
The bill suggests adding the “terrorism danger state” (to existing state of emergency and counter-terror state), which is supposed to be administered as preventive means upon receiving of terrorism alarm information impossible to check. The state’s duration cannot exceed 60 days and influences separate settlements as well as the whole country.
The terrorism danger state limits the rights of citizens. Forbidden activities include mass activities (not meaning rallies and pickets, according to Deputy Chairman of Duma Security Committee Anatoly Kulikov), enforcement of passport control, limited movement of citizens and transportation, establishment of enforced control at the factories producing “harmful products,” censuring of telephone conversations and significant restrictions for the mass media.
The document envisages creating federal (headed by PM) and local (headed by governors) counter-terror commissions, which will collect and analyze information and develop counter-terror programs. Federal Security Service will be the main body in charge of the counter-terror operation.
The bill was developed jointly by the FSB, Justice Ministry and Prosecutor General’s Office and refined by the Duma working group. The document includes a list of documents, which will need amendments in case the bill is passed. In particular, that will be the Criminal Code.
Along with the bill “On Terrorism Control”, a bill on “Witness Protection” is being developed now.
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