Putin offers new wording of draft law on rallies and demonstrations

The concept of the federal draft law "On meetings, rallies, demonstrations, processions and pickets" does not arouse objections, but some of its clauses need specifying, reads the conclusion on the draft law Russian President Vladimir Putin sent to the State Duma on Monday, the Kremlin's press service reported to RIA Novosti.

The draft law, adopted in the first reading by the lower chamber of the Russian parliament on March 31, 2004, "seeks to ensure in all Russia the main organizational and legal conditions for carrying out public action and to guarantee the corresponding constitutional rights of the citizens. Its concept does not arouse objections," the conclusion reads.

However, some of its clauses need specifying with consideration to international agreements and in compliance with the Russian legislation, the President pointed out.

In this context he believes to envisage an opportunity for Russian citizens over 16 to be able to organize not only meetings but also pickets.

The President offers his version of the article that defines places where public actions are prohibited. In this wording, "public action can be held in any place suitable for the purpose as it does not pose a threat for collapsing buildings and facilities or other threats to safety of its participants".

The Russian leader proposes to prohibit public actions on territories "directly adjacent to dangerous and harmful productions", at overpasses, railways, pipelines and in border areas.

Besides, public actions are prohibited on the territories directly adjacent to the Russian President's residence, to the buildings of courts and prisons.

After being adopted in the first reading, the bill caused objections of the rightist and leftist opposition, human rights activists and did not receive support of the Federation Council, the Russian parliament's upper chamber.