New amendment to Criminal Code poses threat to freedom of media in Russia, says OSCE Representative Désir

VIENNA, 15 May 2018 - Following the introduction of an amendment to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which penalizes “facilitation” of foreign sanctions toward public or private persons of the Russian Federation, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, today pointed to the threats it poses for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country.

The amendment registered on 14 May in the State Duma criminalizes ‘provision or recommendations and transfer of information that has led or might have led to the introduction’ of international sanctions. Violation of this norm by Russian citizens shall be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years.

“This article is formulated in such a broad and vague way that it could be applied to the media even when publishing on issues of public interest,” Désir wrote to the Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin.

“This legislation will introduce arbitrary restrictions, self-censorship, and have a negative impact on the work of Russian journalists,” Désir said. “The legislation would allow for the prosecution of journalists for publishing ‘information that has led or might have led to the introduction’ of sanctions, even if that was not their goal. Media freedom cannot be submitted to such broad restrictions for geopolitical reasons”.

“In my letter to the Chairman of the State Duma, I urged the Parliament to take into consideration the need to preserve freedom of the media and freedom of expression, in due consideration of the related commitments adopted by the OSCE participating States, including the Russian Federation,” he noted.

Representative Désir said today he would closely monitor readings of the bill in the State Duma, and is ready to provide the Parliament with the relevant detailed legal opinion.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.