> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Russian rights at the crossroads - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/russian-rights-at-crossroads/ - Published: 2012-08-21T12:08:55.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-22T09:07:56.000Z - Description: Anna Sevortian and Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch present a new week-long series on openDemocracy Russia - Author: Tanya Lokshina - Tags: Politics & activism, #Migrated, Internal, oD Russia, HRW on oDRussia, International politics, human rights, Equality, #en, #Import 2026-04-09 15:24, #appended-excerpt Human Rights Watch has had an office in Russia for 20 years, almost as long as the contemporary Russian state has been in place. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster experience. In our early years, we were encouraged by the gains of fledgling Russian democracy; later on we documented the gradual setbacks and authoritarianism of the Putin era. Today, once again, we see Russia at a crossroads, and with similar choices to the ones it faced twenty years ago. In our series this week, we will present leading voices from Russian civil society and their visions of the most pressing human rights challenges in Russia. In general terms, they reflect the top priorities in the ongoing work of Human Rights Watch in Russia: the renewed crackdown on civil society, human rights violations in the turbulent North Caucasus, issues with implementation of judgments handed down by the European Court of Human Rights, LGBT rights, and the situation with palliative care. We hope you enjoy the articles and look forward to receiving your feedback. For more information on Human Rights Watch work on Russia, visit: [http://www.hrw.org/europecentral-asia/russia](http://www.hrw.org/europecentral-asia/russia?ref=opendemocracy.net) Anna Sevortian Tanya Lokshina Moscow, August 2012 \----------------------- **For Human Rights Watch work on Russia, please, see:** **Reports** [“You Dress According to Their Rules”](http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/03/10/you-dress-according-their-rules-0?ref=opendemocracy.net) Enforcement of an Islamic Dress Code for Women in Chechnya, 2011 ["Who Will Tell Me What Happened to My Son?"](http://www.hrw.org/reports/2009/09/28/who-will-tell-me-what-happened-my-son-0?ref=opendemocracy.net) Russia’s Implementation of European Court of Human Rights Judgments on Chechnya, 2009 ["What Your Children Do Will Touch Upon You"](http://www.hrw.org/reports/2009/07/02/what-your-children-do-will-touch-upon-you-0?ref=opendemocracy.net) Punitive House-Burning in Chechnya, 2009 **Briefings** [Russia: Harassment of Critics](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/01/russia-harassment-critics?ref=opendemocracy.net) Intimidation of Activists, Media as Election Nears, 2012 [Russia: Expert Testimony on the Situation for Human Rights Defenders](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/26/russia-expert-testimony-situation-human-rights-defenders?ref=opendemocracy.net) Given before PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, 2012 [Russia: Making Justice Count in Chechnya](http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/11/14/russia-making-justice-count-chechnya?ref=opendemocracy.net) Implementation of European Court of Human Rights Rulings against Russia, 2011 **New Releases** [Russia: Criminal Libel Law a Blow to Free Expression](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/16/russia-criminal-libel-law-blow-free-expression?ref=opendemocracy.net) Halt Unraveling of Human Rights Gains, 2012 [Russia: Remembering Natalia Estemirova, and Why Her Courage Lives On](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/15/russia-remembering-natalia-estemirova-and-why-her-courage-lives?ref=opendemocracy.net), 2012 [Russia: Bring Natalia Estemirova’s Murderers to Justice](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/13/russia-bring-natalia-estemirova-s-murderers-justice?ref=opendemocracy.net) Instead of Identifying Killers, Authorities Threatening Rights Activists, 2012 [Russia: Reject Proposed Changes to Rules on Foreign-Funded NGOs](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/13/russia-reject-proposed-changes-rules-foreign-funded-ngos?ref=opendemocracy.net) United Russia Move Would Brand Rights Groups ‘Foreign Agents,’ Extend Government Control, 2012 [Russia: As Olympics Launch, Sochi Abuses Loom](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/07/17/russia-olympics-launch-sochi-abuses-loom?ref=opendemocracy.net) Protect Workers, Ensure Fair Compensation and Free Speech in 2014 Olympics Prep, 2012 [Russia: Five Journalists Detained](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/14/russia-five-journalists-detained?ref=opendemocracy.net) Response to Journalists’ Picket Shows Severity of New Demonstrations Law, 2012 [Russia: Protect Human Rights Lawyer](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/09/russia-protect-human-rights-lawyer?ref=opendemocracy.net) ‘Look Over Your Shoulder,’ Police in Caucasus Region Tell Attorney for Memorial, 2012 [Russia: Reject Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/08/russia-reject-restrictions-peaceful-assembly?ref=opendemocracy.net) Duma to Consider Big Fines for Public Gatherings, 2012 [Russia: Protect Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/07/russia-protect-human-rights-defenders-chechnya?ref=opendemocracy.net) Chechen Leader Threatened ‘Mobile Group’ in TV Broadcast [Russia: EU Should Raise LGBT Issues at Summit](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/06/01/russia-eu-should-raise-lgbt-issues-summit?ref=opendemocracy.net) ‘Homosexual Propaganda’ Ban Could Become National Law, 2012 [Russia: Investigate Police Use of Force Against Peaceful Protesters](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/05/08/russia-investigate-police-use-force-against-peaceful-protesters?ref=opendemocracy.net) March Turns Chaotic; Arbitrary Arrests, 2012 [Russia: Is wearing a pink triangle a crime?](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/26/russia-wearing-pink-triangle-crime?ref=opendemocracy.net) St. Petersburg's new anti-gay law is reminiscent of fascism, 2012 [Russia: A Move to Investigate Police Abuses](http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/19/russia-move-investigate-police-abuses?ref=opendemocracy.net) New Unit Needs Independence, Robust Mandate, Resources, 2012 **And Much More at HRW’s Russia page:** [**http://www.hrw.org/europecentral-asia/russia**](http://www.hrw.org/europecentral-asia/russia?ref=opendemocracy.net) Anna Sevortian and Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch present a new week-long series on openDemocracy Russia