Does "rule of law" exist in Russia?
Here's a thesis to ask your students to evaluate -- once they know what rule of law is. It comes from an op-ed piece in the Financial Times (London)The Kremlin is killing Russia's rule of law
"Russian president Vladimir Putin took power in 2000 with promises of recreating a strong, law-abiding state. The killing of Alexander Litvinenko, the former spy, and a spate of other assassinations suggest Mr Putin's Russia may well be strong - but it is far from being law-abiding...
"The Kremlin bluntly denies any involvement. But Mr Putin cannot reject responsibility for contributing to the creation of a state in which assassination has become commonplace...
"Many more people died in early post-Soviet Russia, murdered in gang wars and battles over state assets. But then Russia verged on chaos. Today Mr Putin claims to have restored order.
"However, Mr Putin has reasserted the Kremlin's authority by riding roughshod over the rights of others, including businessmen, journalists and regional governors. Ex-KGB agents, led by Mr Putin, have restored much of their influence.
"Mr Putin would argue that in the process he has recreated the rule of law. However, this does not mean law as applied by independent courts, but law as imposed by the Kremlin. The state can resort even to gross violations of human rights without fear of legal challenge, as with the recent mass deportation of Georgian migrants. Might, not right, has triumphed.
"As a result, growing numbers of those with power and money feel no need to respect the law. Some seem to think they can bully their way out of any trouble - even to the extent of killing their enemies."
posted by Ken Wedding @ 8:47 AM
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