Actions Against Anti-Romani Hate Speech on Russian Internet Portals
20 June 2007
On 11 June 2007, the ERRC sent a letter of concern to Ms Elena Rylenkova, Director of the news agency “Kuzbass-inform”, expressing concern about the continuous association of Roma with criminal activity in the reports on the Agency’s portal http://www.kuzinform.ru, which contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes about the linkage between Roma and crimes. A copy of the letter was sent to the regional media oversight body, the Siberian Administration of Rosohrancultura.
The full texts of the letters are available at:
- In English:
- In Russian:
Previously, on 22 May, the ERRC expressed similar concerns in a letter sent to Mr Victor Biryukov, Director of the Internet portal “http://www.petrovka38.ru”, which frequently posts reports contributing to hostile attitude towards Roma. A copy of the letter was sent to Mr Pronin, Chief of the Municipal Department of Internal Affairs of Moscow.
In its letters the ERRC, urged the directors to take a firm stand against anti-Romani hate speech and to refrain from publishing reports that may incite further intolerance of Roma.
The full texts of the letters are available at:
- In English:
- In Russian:
The letters are a component of ongoing ERRC work in the Russian Federation to combat hate speech against Roma. Since 2006, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported ERRC work in the Russian Federation.
