On June 20, 2007, in Moscow, the SOVA Center presented a new report, Sowing On The Meadow Of Russian Nationalism. The report describes radical nationalism and resistance against it in the spring of 2007.

The authors of the report, Galina Kozhevnikova and Alexander Verkhovsky, took part in the press conference.

In her speech, Galina Kozhevnikova underscored the fact that rightwing radical activity has been growing: there was dynamic growth of neo-nazi and racist violence (this spring, there were at least 137 victims of violent hate crimes, 18 of them died). Moreover, public manifestations by ultra-rightwing organizations became more frequent and massed. These organizations show that they have learned both from their own experience and that of their opponents. Nationalist organizational activity has been increasing in advance of the coming elections. It has been accompanied, however, by quarrels and splits.

It was also mentioned, that mainstream parties, as well as the rightwing groups, are ready to use ethnic nationalism to boost their constituency.

The popularity of xenophobic thinking among Russians is also used to excuse Russia's highly aggressive behavior towards neighboring states. The government does not react in a proper and clear manner to the evolution of foreign policy scandals into ethnic discrimination campaigns.

Alexander Verkhovsky commented on the state's widespread use of misapplying the anti-extremism legislation. Anti-extremism laws are being intensely changed, while law enforcement authorities choose very particular objects as their targets. The selectivity of the law enforcement is exaggeratedly politicized, destroying the public's already hazy notion of the meaning of extremism, and legitimizing in public opinion discriminative and openly neo-nazi practices, which go unpunished.

Among positive developments, the authors mentioned the muscling up and fundamental improvement of legal prosecution of hate propaganda: the period of investigation has shortened, while suspended sentences, as well as unjustified imprisonment, has become less frequent, etc. However, it's still unclear whether this will become a tendency.

The report will be available in English in a few weeks.