Reporters Without Borders has issued a warning over the passage of the first reading of what it describes as a "very dangerous draft law" that "would allow the government to close media and block websites on national security grounds without a court’s permission." From that statement:
“This bill’s definitive adoption would represent a major setback for freedom of information in Ukraine,” said Johann Bihr, the head of the Reporters Without Borders Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “It gives the RNBO exorbitant powers to order the broadest forms of censorship on the basis of extremely vague criteria and with no safeguards....
Bihr added: “The major challenges that the Ukrainian authorities are facing and their legitimate concern to defend national security do not, under any circumstances justify such an attack on the constitutional right to freedom of expression.”...
The bill says the sanctions can be imposed to “protect security and national interests,” “Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its economic independence,” to “prevent violation of the rights, freedoms and interests of Ukrainian citizens” and to “restore them.”
Freedom House has also criticized the draft:
“The Rada’s proposed law gives the National Security and Defense Council draconian and inappropriate powers to shut down and restrict media and telecommunications networks based on vague criteria and with limited oversight, “ said David J. Kramer, president of Freedom House. “While Ukraine is targeted with an unprecedented barrage of inciteful and willfully misleading stories on the airwaves, the Internet, and in print, this bill does not strike the right balance between security and human rights. It could easily lead to abusive and impermissible restrictions on fundamental human rights.”
“Freedom House calls on the Rada to establish a strict legal framework that has the narrowest possible restrictions on the media and free expression and ensures effective judicial oversight,” Kramer said. “The Rada should also include Ukrainian civil society in this important debate on how to protect national interests and safeguard democracy.”
Russian media have reported that President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting in Sevastopol, Crimea, today with members of Russia's security council. It is the first day of a scheduled two-day visit to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in March. On day two, he should meet with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russian lawmakers in Yalta.
That concludes our live blogging for Tuesday, August 12, but you can follow our continuing coverage of events in Russia, Ukraine, and throughout the region HERE.
From the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's Foreign & Security Policy Service led by Catherine Ashton.
A few photos from police detaining more than a dozen people at an antiwar rally in Moscow today. It was said to have been attended by around 100 people:
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry just retweeted this UNIAN report suggesting what eastern Ukraine needs is "targeted humanitarian aid expressly consented to by Ukrainian authorities."