In Russia there have been credible allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by government and non government forces .Russia's human rights record remains uneven and poor in some areas. Despite significant improvements in conditions following the end of the Soviet Union, problem areas remain. In particular, the Russian Government's policy in the North Caucasus has been a cause for international concern. Although the government has recognized the legitimacy of international human rights standards, the institutionalization of procedures to safeguard these rights has lagged. There are, however, some indications that the law is becoming an increasingly important tool for those seeking to protect human rights.
People should care about the human rights issues in Russia because it is being violated by the government and people aren't having human rights.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Russian background
Although human experience on the territory of present-day Russia dates back to Paleolithic times, the first lineal predecessor of the modern Russian state was founded in 862. The political entity known as Kievan Rus was established in Kiev in 962 and lasted until the 12th century. In the 10th century, Christianity became the state religion under Vladimir, who adopted Greek Orthodox rites. Consequently, Byzantine culture predominated, as is evident in much of Russia's architectural, musical, and artistic heritage. Over the next centuries, various invaders assaulted the Kievan state and, finally, Mongols under Batu Khan destroyed the main population centers except for Novgorod and Pskov in the 13th century and prevailed over the region until 1480. Some historians believe that the Mongol period had a lasting impact on Russian political culture.
In the political system established by the 1993 constitution, the president wields considerable executive power. There is no vice president, and the legislative branch is far weaker than the executive. The bicameral legislature consists of the lower house and the upper house . The president nominates the highest state officials, including the prime minister, who must be approved by the Duma. The president can pass decrees without consent from the Duma. He also is head of the armed forces and of the Security Council.
In 2011 Suicide bomb blast at Moscow's Domodedovo airport kills at least 35 people and injures 110 others. Chechen Islamist military rebel leader Doku Umarov claims responsibility and warns of more attacks.
The Russian economy underwent tremendous stress in the 1990s as it moved from a centrally planned economy to a free market system. Difficulties in implementing fiscal reforms aimed at raising government revenues and a dependence on short-term borrowing to finance budget deficits led to a serious financial crisis in 1998. Lower prices for Russia's major export earners and a loss of investor confidence due to the Asian financial crisis exacerbated financial problems. The result was a rapid and steep decline in the value of the ruble, flight of foreign investment, delayed payments on sovereign and private debts, a breakdown of commercial transactions through the banking system, and the threat of runaway inflation.
Russia has a body of conflicting, overlapping and rapidly changing laws, decrees and regulations, which has resulted in an ad hoc and unpredictable approach to doing business. In this environment, negotiations and contracts from commercial transactions are complex and protracted. Uneven implementation of laws creates further complications. Regional and local courts are often subject to political pressure, and corruption is widespread. However, more and more small and medium businesses in recent years have reported fewer difficulties in this regard, especially in the Moscow region. In addition, Russian businesses are increasingly turning to the courts to resolve disputes. Russia's World Trade Organization accession process is also helping to bring the country's legal and regulatory regime in line with internationally accepted practices
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3183.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1113655.stm
In the political system established by the 1993 constitution, the president wields considerable executive power. There is no vice president, and the legislative branch is far weaker than the executive. The bicameral legislature consists of the lower house and the upper house . The president nominates the highest state officials, including the prime minister, who must be approved by the Duma. The president can pass decrees without consent from the Duma. He also is head of the armed forces and of the Security Council.
In 2011 Suicide bomb blast at Moscow's Domodedovo airport kills at least 35 people and injures 110 others. Chechen Islamist military rebel leader Doku Umarov claims responsibility and warns of more attacks.
The Russian economy underwent tremendous stress in the 1990s as it moved from a centrally planned economy to a free market system. Difficulties in implementing fiscal reforms aimed at raising government revenues and a dependence on short-term borrowing to finance budget deficits led to a serious financial crisis in 1998. Lower prices for Russia's major export earners and a loss of investor confidence due to the Asian financial crisis exacerbated financial problems. The result was a rapid and steep decline in the value of the ruble, flight of foreign investment, delayed payments on sovereign and private debts, a breakdown of commercial transactions through the banking system, and the threat of runaway inflation.
Russia has a body of conflicting, overlapping and rapidly changing laws, decrees and regulations, which has resulted in an ad hoc and unpredictable approach to doing business. In this environment, negotiations and contracts from commercial transactions are complex and protracted. Uneven implementation of laws creates further complications. Regional and local courts are often subject to political pressure, and corruption is widespread. However, more and more small and medium businesses in recent years have reported fewer difficulties in this regard, especially in the Moscow region. In addition, Russian businesses are increasingly turning to the courts to resolve disputes. Russia's World Trade Organization accession process is also helping to bring the country's legal and regulatory regime in line with internationally accepted practices
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3183.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1113655.stm
Russian Culture
Russia has a rich history and can boast a long tradition of excellence in every aspect of the arts, especially when it comes to literature and philosophy ,classical music and ballet, architecture and painting, cinema and animation, which all had considerable influence on the world culture. The country also has a rich material culture and a strong tradition in technology.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Russia
Location: Northern Asia, bordering the arctic ocean, between Europe and the north pacific ocean.
Geography: Largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates for agriculture.
Population: 138,739,892
Government type: Federation
Education: School life expectancy 14 years
Literacy rates: Age 15 and over can read and writ. Total population 99.4%
Languages: Russian
Religions: Russian orthodox, Muslim, other christian
Birth rate: 11.05 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 16.04 deaths/1000 population
Life expectancy: 66.29 years
Ethnic groups: Russian, Tatar, Ukrainian, Bashkir, Chuvash.
Legal system: Based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age
Unemployment rate: 7.6%
Population below poverty line: 13.1%
Industries: Complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts.
Military service: Ground forces, navy, air forces, airborne troops, strategic rocket forces and space troops.
CIA FACTBOOK
Geography: Largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates for agriculture.
Population: 138,739,892
Government type: Federation
Education: School life expectancy 14 years
Literacy rates: Age 15 and over can read and writ. Total population 99.4%
Languages: Russian
Religions: Russian orthodox, Muslim, other christian
Birth rate: 11.05 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 16.04 deaths/1000 population
Life expectancy: 66.29 years
Ethnic groups: Russian, Tatar, Ukrainian, Bashkir, Chuvash.
Legal system: Based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age
Unemployment rate: 7.6%
Population below poverty line: 13.1%
Industries: Complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; defense industries including radar, missile production, and advanced electronic components, shipbuilding; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables, textiles, foodstuffs, handicrafts.
Military service: Ground forces, navy, air forces, airborne troops, strategic rocket forces and space troops.
CIA FACTBOOK
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