Racism and Xenophobia in November 2015

The following is our review of racism and xenophobia in Russia during November 2015. The data we report are collected in the course of Sova Center’s daily monitoring activities.

One person was targeted in a xenophobic attack in Saint Petersburg in November 2015. In total since the beginning of 2015, nine people have been killed, while 65 were injured as a result of racist violence, and four people received threats against their lives. Racist attacks were recorded in 17 regions of Russia.

We are aware of two incidents of vandalism in November 2015. In total, we have recorded at least 42 acts of ideologically motivated vandalism in 25 regions of the country so far in 2015.

Traditionally, the key public event organized by the ultra-right in autumn was the "Russian March" on November 4, 2015. In Moscow, the Day of National Unity on November 4, 2015, was marked by several demonstrations, including three "Russian Marches." The main demonstration held in Lyublino was organized by supporters of the banned "Russians" Association. This year, against a backdrop of prosecution of Russian nationalist leaders, the demonstration was even more of a disaster than in previous years; just about 700 individuals participated. The total number of participants in all demonstrations did not come close to that of last year, let alone 2013. This year, the total number of participants in all marches did not exceed 1,300.

In addition to Moscow, demonstrations were held in other cities. In one form or another, they were recorded in 24 cities (compared to 36 cities in 2013), and almost everywhere the number of participants was lower than last year.

We are not aware of any sentences in cases of racist violence in November 2015. In total since the beginning of the year, there have been at least 19 rulings in cases of racist violence, where hate was accepted as a motive, against 42 individuals in 15 regions of the country.

As for xenophobic propaganda in November 2015, there were at least 17 sentences against 17 people in 15 regions of the country. In total in 2015, there were 179 sentences in cases of racist propaganda against 188 people in 58 regions.

The Federal List of Extremist Materials was updated 3 times this month: on November 3, 13 and 20. Entries 3114-3152 were added. The new entries added in November include various materials by Muslim militants and Nazi-skinheads, postings on an LGBT activist's webpage, materials associated with the Right Sector's activities, and books about Stepan Bandera and the Soviet genocide in Ukraine.

In November, the Federal List of Extremist Organizations was updated by the inclusion of item 46 – "People's Socialist Initiative" recognized extremist by the decision of the Saint Petersburg City Court on September 16, 2015.