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The authorities chose to support of oligarchs’ interests and reprisals against public organisations rather than protection of the Lake Baikal

Statement of the Bureau of the YABLOKO party, February 1, 2010

On January 28, 2010 the police of the Irkutsk region without any rulings of the court or public prosecutor blocked the work of the largest public organisation engaged in protection of the Lake Baikal – The Baikal Ecological Wave – confiscating their computers under the pretext of a check whether this organisation had been using licensed software. However, the representatives of the interior refused even to look at the certificates of the software submitted to them. The ecologists who tried to disobey confiscation of their computers were threatened with legal persecution in view of “attacking the police”.

The YABLOKO party expresses its resolute protest in view of such actions of the interior and considers them as a awkward attempt to shut down the wave of public discontent in view of the adoption by the Government of the RF of a resolution allowing to resume functioning of the Baikal Cellulose Paper Plant that have been polluting Baikal with its waste, as well as stored, buried and burnt hazardous waste on the banks of the lake. Such governmental decision was adopted in satisfaction of short-term interests of the owner of the plant – a definite tycoon, and contradicts Russia’s interests.

On anti-ecological policies of Russia’s authorities

Resolution of the 15th congress of the YABLOKO party No 253, December 24, 2009

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO regards the supreme goal of a democratic state as ensuring of flourishing of the country, the well-fare and the highest living standards for the citizens. One of the most important functions of the government is ensuring of ecological safety of the citizens and protection of nature as a national resource which is regarded as a public asset.
The political and economic system of modern Russia, its supreme political and economic administration grossly violates the principles of ecological policies determined by the Constitution of the Russian Federation: the rights of the citizens to a friendly environment, reliable information on its condition, recovering of the damage incurred in ecological violations, rational use and protection of natural resources and careful attitude to the natural riches that should be regarded as a foundation for life and performance of the citizens.
1. The policies of Boris Yeltsin – Vladimir Putin – Dmitry Medvedev created a system of underdeveloped periphery capitalism in Russia almost entirely basing on the maintenance and development of environmentally unfriendly productions left from the Soviet times. Neither the government nor business merging with the authorities pay any serious attention to the safe environment, as it is connected with reduction of their super profits. Consequently, Russia logically and inevitably has found itself on the periphery of rapidly developing innovative world.

State officials’ poaching should be stopped!

Statement by the YABLOKO party July 1, 2009

Mayor of Minusinsk (a city in the Krasnoyarsk Area) got drowned in the Podkamennaya Tunguska river on June 27. The circumstances of the accident showed that this accident took place during committing of a crime [by the Mayor] – unlawful fishing (fishing is prohibited in this part of the river until winter due to sturgeon spawning).

Sergei Mitrokhin: Yavlinsky Convinced Putin Not to Import Spent Nuclear Fuel
Refutation of an article from rbc.ru, March 4, 2004
In an article Putin Will Process the Nuclear Damp (from February 27) Alexei Vinogradov made a serious mistake. The author of the article stated that the President supports imports of spent nuclear fuel into Russia. This is not true. In the quotation used by Vinogradov as his source, Putin speaks refers to the need to focus on waste from our [domestically produced] fuel. He implies here that spent nuclear fuel from domestically produced fuel rod arrays were exported to Europe by the USSR and then by Russia.

Officials offer apology to YABLOKO’s ecologist

Press Release. March 10, 2010

Officials from Administration of the Lomonosovsky District of the Leningrad region offered their apology to Alexander Senotrusov, deputy head of YABLOKO’s Green faction, for their intention to dismiss him from school where he had been working as a teacher and their suspension of functioning of a children’s club where he also worked. Persecutions against YABLOKO’s activist began after his interview to the NTV television channel.

On March 7, NTV released a piece devoted to the practices of unlawful construction of cottages in the natural reserves. Alexander Senotrusov told the journalists about unlawful construction at the Lebyazhiye village situated on Gulf of Finland shore.

After this the district administration began persecutions against the teacher. Local bureaucrats were going to dismiss Alexander Senotrusov as redundant and also cut off electricity in the children’s club where he worked.

YABLOKO’s action in protection of Utrish and Baikal

Press Release. February 25, 2010

A rally in protection of the Utrish national reserve park and the Baikal Lake took place in the centre of Krasnodar on February 20. The rally was organised by YABLOKO’s activist Andrei Rudomakha.

After the rally the participants marched along the main street of the city and held a second rally at the end of the march.

About 300 – 350 people took part in the action.

The leader of Gelendzhik YABLOKO is forced to quit his job because of a rally

Press Release, February 12, 2010

On January 31, 2010, Gelendzhik YABLOKO conducted a meeting of protest against destruction of the Utrish relict lagoons, where the Presidential Property Management Department planned to build a “sports and recreation complex” and Administration of the Krasnodar Area – commercial buildings. Public protest action took place by the city Administration building.

And already on February 5, Sergei Buldakov, leader of the local YABLOKO branch was informed that he was transferred to another work place located in 57 km from his current place. Alexander Umitbayaev, Director General of the Vodokanal municipal state company, where Buldakov worked informed Buldakov of this transfer.

Sergei Mitrokhin spoke at the rally for protection of Baikal

Press Release. February 13, 2010

About 700 people participated despite sever frosts in the rally for protection of Baikal in Irkutsk. Members of ecological organisations, members and supporters of YABLOKO, residents of Irkutsk and Baikalsk and CPRF members spoke against resuming of functioning of the Baikal Pulp Plant.

The rally organised by the ecological organisation The Baikal Wave and the Baikal movement was held under the slogans “To close the Baikal Pulp Plant!”, “To provide alternative jobs to the residents of Baikalsk!” and “Stop budget financing of oligarch Deripaska!”

Apple tree garden in Biryulyovo, Moscow, will be preserved

Press Release, January 25, 2010

“Apple tree garden in Biryulyovo, Moscow, will not be cut”, Vladimir Resin, head of the Moscow Construction Complex told to YABLOKO’s leader Sergei Mitrokhin during their meeting today. Moreover, the plot of land with the apple tree garden will be included into the natural reserve Biryulyovo Dendrary Park...

It is already the second apple tree garden saved by YABLOKO. In 2006 the party managed to stop cutting of the trees in Davydkovo district.

YABLOKO’s Political Committee: Russian state acts like an irresponsible business corporation conducting anti-environmental policies

Press Release, December 5, 2009

On December 5, 2009, YABLOKO’s Political Committee discussed the ecological policy of the government. The key report was made by Academician Alexei Yablokov, leader of the Green Russia faction. After a discussion the Committee adopted resolution “On the Anti-Environmental Policies of the Russian Authorities”.

On opening of the meeting the Political Committee commemorated the victims of the Nevsky Express railroad crash and the victims of the Perm nightclub fire by a one-minute silence.

Alexei Yablokov reported on a bad environmental situation in Russia dwelling on the most acute ecological problems and offered ways of their solution. According to the World Health Organisation, 493,000 people die annually in Russia because of ecological problems. Thus, life expectancy for men is only 59 years, which is 15 – 18 years less than in the USA and Japan. And it is even 3 – 4 years lower in the zones of environmental pollution (about 14% of the territory of the country).

Sergei Mitrokhin: “The democratic project of the country’s development is closed”

Press Release, November 30, 2009

On Saturday, November 29, 2009, a meeting of YABLOKO’s Bureau took place in Moscow. The Bureau adopted decisions on working over persuading the government not to abolish indexation of unemployment benefits, return gratuitous public transport tickets for pensioners of the Moscow Region and creation of nature reserve Utrish. The Bureau also heard the reports of the Human Rights and the Gender factions of the party.

The meeting was opened by party Chair Sergei Mitrokhin who made a report on the political situation in Russia. “It has become clear after voting on October 11 that elections as a legitimate institution that could be trusted by the society is completely ruined in Russia. This means that the democratic project of the country’s development initiated in the late 1980s has been completely closed now – and not only by the ruling elite, but by the society as well,” Mitrokhin said. According to Mitrokhin, the forthcoming YABLOKO’s congress (that will take place in December 2009) has to formulate the basis of a new democratic project for Russia.

Sergei Mitrokhin and the camera crew of the RenTV channel detained while trying to get to the Kurkino VIP village

Press release, November 16, 2009

Sergei Mitrokhin and the camera crew of the RenTV channel have been detained by the security of the Kurkino VIP village by the Valley of the Skhodnya River natural reserve. The security have detained the politician and the journalists and have called the police.

Sergei Mitorkhin and the camera crew of the RenTV channel went to the Valley of the Skhodnya River natural reserve (where an unknown VIP village was built on the permission of the ex-head of the North-Western District of Moscow Viktor Kozlov) so that to study the situation with returning of the plot unlawfully granted to General Major of the interior Anatoli Petukhov. On November 5, 2009, the Moscow City Court confirmed the decision of the Tushino District Court on abuse of authority by Kozlov. This motion envisages retrieval of this plot amounting to 3,688 sq m, also court rulings on other plots of the natural reserve unlawfully given for construction of cottages have to appear shortly.

The Moscow City Court ruled that granting a plot of land to the police top official in the nature reserve park was unlawful

Press release, November 10, 2009

On November 5, 2009, the Moscow City Court left in force the decision of the Tushino District Court regarding abuse of rank by the dismissed head of the North-Western Administrative District of Moscow Viktor Kozlov, who unlawfully granted 3,688 sq.m of land in the natural preservation zone of the Valley of the Skhodnya River Park for lease to the ex-top officer of the interior General Major Anatoly Petukhov.

According to the ruling of the court, the plot of land granted on unlawful basis Petukhov has to be retrieved. The decision is final and binding.

Muscovites together with YABLOKO preserved Sadovniki park

Press Release, September 9, 2009

Two resolutions of the Moscow Government allowing for construction works in Sadovniki park, Moscow, were recalled.

It is not the first time that the authorities allow construction works in the park and the residents of the area together with the YABLOKO party oppose it. Due to the efforts of the initiative group of the residents of the area and YABLOKO’s support, construction works in the park did not start and moreover were prohibited.

One more Moscow park protected by YABLOKO

Press Release June 29, 2009
The Prefect’s Office of the Southern District of Moscow cancelled its resolution on construction of a restaurant on the territory of the Bitsevsky park. Such a statement has been made by an official from the Prefect’s Office today during a protest action against such construction.

YABLOKO disrupted the plans on elimination of a specially protected natural territory in Moscow

Press Release June 24, 2009
Today the Moscow City Duma has declined amendments into the draft law “On Specially Protected Natural Territories in Moscow” that would allow to conduct once in three years the so-called “corrections” [i.e. reductions] of such natural zones not exceeding 1 per cent of the territory. To prove to the deputies that such an initiative will inevitably lead to shrinking of forests and parks Sergei Mitrokhin, leader of the YABLOKO party and its faction in the Moscow Duma, visited on June 22 with deputy’s inspection one of such specially protected natural territories (The Valley of the Riva Skhadnaya in Kurkino), where a nameless elite settlement is situated.

500 people came to the meeting for protection of Bitsevsky Forest in Moscow
Press Release. June 3, 2009
In the evening on June 2, 2009, over 500 activists participated in the protest action for the protection of Bitsevsky Forest against construction of a cafe on a safeguarded territory.

The Green Russia and Global Nuclear Legacy
Press Release, June 1, 2009
The leaders of the Green Russia faction of the YABLOKO party Alexei Yablokov and Alexander Nikitin participated in the meeting of the Global Nuclear Legacy project in Budapest on May 29-31. Over 40 representatives of the anti-nuclear movement from the USA, Western and Eastern Europe, and the CIS countries came to Budapest. The meeting joined together victims of the nuclear industry, ecologists and specialists from the nuclear sphere who openly inform the society of the dangers of the industry.

The Committee for the Protection of Muscovites demands the resettlement of residents from apartment buildings contaminated by phenol
Press release, July 22, 2004
Over 50 people gathered today at the protest meeting organised by the Committee for the Protection of Muscovites by the Mayor's office in Moscow. Activists from the Committee as well as residents from the Metrogorodok district of Moscow participated in the meeting demanding the adoption of measures to resettle residents from phenol-contaminated apartment blocks, i.e. residential premises with covering made from materials emitting dangerous levels of phenol gas.

Ministry of Nuclear Power Ready to Finance Environmental Programs in Chelyabinsk Region
Press release, October 31, 2003
...the Ministry is willing to "discuss the draft specific environmental program aimed at rehabilitating the territories contaminated due to operations of Mayak plant, including evacuation of the residents of Muslyumovo and Tatarskaya Karabolka towns".

Suspension of the operations of a copper-smelting plant is a powerful signal to environment polluters
Press release, June 27, 2003
Deputy of the State Duma Sergei Mitrokhin (the YABLOKO faction) stated that he was satisfied with the decision of the supreme state inspector for control over natural resources of the Ural Federal district Nikolai Krupinin who issued a warrant to suspend the operations of the Krabash Copper-Smelting Plant from June 27, 2003.

The State Duma turned down the amendment granting tax privileges to environmental bodies
Press release, June 21, 2003
On Friday, June 20, 2003, the State Duma refused to grant a tax break on the property of organisations protecting and caring for territories with an enhanced regime of environmental protection.

YABLOKO determines the directions of Russia's environmental policy and calls on the State Duma to ratify the Kyoto Protocol
Press release, June 5, 2003
In addition to the prospects of ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, the participants of the Round Table discussed a range of problems related to Russia’s environmental policy.

Deputy Mitrokhin manages to make the law-enforcement agencies initiate criminal proceedings for environmental pollution
Press Release, May 27, 2003
Criminal proceedings in accordance with Article 246 of the Criminal Code of the RF (violation of environmental protection regulations at work) were started by the Chelyabinsk Prosecutor for Environmental Protection for "investigation of all the circumstances and reasons for environmental pollution in the city of Krabash ."

Environmentally unfriendly bulbs versus nuclear power stations?

Acad.Alexei Yablokov’s blog at the Echo Moskvi web-site

December 7, 2009

I was wondering why our government suddenly made a complete ban on incandescent electric bulbs its prime concern (Law of the RF No 261-FZ “On Energy Saving and Raising of Energy Efficiency and on Introduction of Changes into Some Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” of November 23, 2009).

And recently I have heard the news that Europe has been closing production of incandescent electric lamps of the first generation (luminescent, with mercury) – the very lamps that have to replace our incandescent electric bulbs. And these environmentally unfriendly productions are offered cheaply to those who would be eager to buy them. Let us make a simple calculation...

50 Protest Phenol Gas
The Moscow Times, July 22, 2004
"We technically only had permission to demonstrate at Pushkin Square," said one of the protest organizers, Ilya Yashin, a Yabloko party official. "But we felt we had a right ... to make our voices heard."

YABLOKO to Propose Amendments to the Forestry Code
RIA "OREANDA", April 5, 2004
By and large, the RF Ministry of Natural Resources and the Russian Democratic Party "Yabloko" will cooperate on environment protection and efficient nature management.

Chemical Funds
Associated Press, March 17, 2004
MOSCOW (AP) -- Environmental and human rights activists criticized the implementation of Russia's chemical disarmament program Tuesday, accusing authorities of mismanaging funds and endangering lives by skimping on safety and security measures.

Nuclear Power Ministry and Green Cross in the Same Team.
By Sergei Leskov, Izvestia, December 19, 2003
The President discussed with the representatives of the nuclear department and the ecologists the problems of burying spent nuclear fuel, where opinions were divided irreconcilably.

Roll-call voting in the State Duma For the adoption of amendments into the Forestry Code of the Russian Federation (simplyfying the transfer of forests of the 1st category into non-forest categories). Third Reading.
November 21, 2003 16:04:10

Video. Protest action by YABLOKO and ecologists agianst amendments to the Forestry Code allowing for the transfer of forests from the top category to the lower categories. The State Duma. October 8, 2003. 11 min 4 sek, 256 Êáèò/ñåê - 49 Ìáàéò, 128 Êáèò/ñåê - 18 Ìáàéò (RealPlayer required)

Krasnoyarsk Territory. The Legislative Assembly approves the initiative to restrict the transfer of forestry areas to other categories of fields
Regions.Ru, March 3, 2003 (Archive)
According to RIA Press-Line information agency today, on March 3, 3003 members of the permanent Commission on Natural Resources, Ecology and Protection of Nature of the Legislative Assembly of Krasnoyarsk Territory supported the draft law of the State Duma deputy Sergei Mitrokhin.

Ministry of Nuclear Power Ready to Finance Environmental Programmes in Chelyabinsk Region
RIA "OREANDA", November 3, 2003
The deputy minister's letter is the Ministry's official response to Mitrokhin's appeal to the Ministry to allot money to move people away from nuclear-contaminated areas in Chelyabinsk region.

Deputy Mitrokhin demands an investigation into the situation around the methanol terminal in Azov
FMBusiness, September 5, 2003
According to the documents, a number of federal legislative acts, such as the Law "On Environmental Protection ", the Law "On Environmental Expertise", the Provisions on the assessment of the impact on the environment and legislation regulating construction work were violated during the design and construction of the terminal in Azov.

Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol Will Help Russia to Attract Vast Investments into Industry
RIA Novosti, September 8, 2003
"Now we cannot achieve such a capacity, with our outdated equipment. But when innovations are introduced, greenhouse gas emissions will decrease significantly," the expert believes.

Grigory Yavlinsky called for an increase in state ecological controls
Vesti Programme, RTR channel, June 5, 2003
In particular, in autumn 2003 YABLOKO is going to submit to the State Duma the Kyoto Protocol for ratification.