It's a classic way of suppressing dissent, by making legitimate criticism illegal, and impugning the patriotism of opponents : expanded treason laws are threatening a somber comeback in Russia.
The law currently being considered subtly expands on the existing Russian law of treason. It encompasses "consultative" support to a foreign entity, does away with any requirement that the passing of information be "hostile", and even includes provision of information to nongovernmental organizations. The offence might be tried by military courts, without the benefit of a jury. It is no secret that the Russian government is particularly wary of the links that the protagonists of the "color revolutions" in Georgia and Ukraine had with foreign NGOs.
Clearly the law, particularly international law and human rights, has a role to play in protecting what is in fact legitimate dissent, abusively portrayed as treason. The Council of Europe has on several occasions voiced strong concern about the arbitrary detention of Russian journalists on the basis of accusations of treason. Of particular concern has been the fate of Grigory Pasko, a journalist who has written articles critical of the Russian fleet's environmental impact. The range of ECHR rights violated is broad: not only the right to a fair trial, but also the right to freedom of expression, which is an essential element of a free and democratic society. Of particular concern to human rights organizations has been that the definition of what constitutes a state secret is itself... secret (but the list apparently contains 700 items). The scope of official secrecy, urges the Council of Europe, should be "clearly and narrowly defined (giving) due consideration to the legitimate need of the public to be informed of any illicit behaviour by State organs, including the armed forces, in particular when it constitutes a threat to human rights, the environment, or other vital interests of the people". The role of protest, including protest that may seem immediately harmful to the state, is thus portrayed as fundamentally legitimate.
The law currently being considered subtly expands on the existing Russian law of treason. It encompasses "consultative" support to a foreign entity, does away with any requirement that the passing of information be "hostile", and even includes provision of information to nongovernmental organizations. The offence might be tried by military courts, without the benefit of a jury. It is no secret that the Russian government is particularly wary of the links that the protagonists of the "color revolutions" in Georgia and Ukraine had with foreign NGOs.
Clearly the law, particularly international law and human rights, has a role to play in protecting what is in fact legitimate dissent, abusively portrayed as treason. The Council of Europe has on several occasions voiced strong concern about the arbitrary detention of Russian journalists on the basis of accusations of treason. Of particular concern has been the fate of Grigory Pasko, a journalist who has written articles critical of the Russian fleet's environmental impact. The range of ECHR rights violated is broad: not only the right to a fair trial, but also the right to freedom of expression, which is an essential element of a free and democratic society. Of particular concern to human rights organizations has been that the definition of what constitutes a state secret is itself... secret (but the list apparently contains 700 items). The scope of official secrecy, urges the Council of Europe, should be "clearly and narrowly defined (giving) due consideration to the legitimate need of the public to be informed of any illicit behaviour by State organs, including the armed forces, in particular when it constitutes a threat to human rights, the environment, or other vital interests of the people". The role of protest, including protest that may seem immediately harmful to the state, is thus portrayed as fundamentally legitimate.
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