The Russian Authorities have established a special zone for protest rallies for the February Sochi Winter Olympics.
"A special security regime will be in place in and around the southern city from 7 January until 21 March. The authorities announced last year that a ban on rallies would be imposed in the Games area. But a decree now says protests during the Games in February can be held if agreed with the authorities.
"The president has issued an instruction to the organisers of the Olympic Games, together with the leadership of Krasnodar Territory and the Sochi mayor's office, to select a venue in the city where rallies, demonstrations and other events, including, if necessary, protests, could be freely held," Mr Peskov said.
But limits can be placed on the number of people taking part in demonstrations, according to the presidential decree.
Protests groups, such as those campaigning for gay rights and political reform, had complained at the restrictions on the right to stage demonstrations at the Games."
What do you think of the imposed restrictions by the Russian government regarding protests?
I think that putting a limit on their protesting is kind of defeating the purpose of a prostest. The new law limits the ammount of people who can protest and where they can protest, creating less of an impact. Also, it says that in Russia they have the right to stage demonstrations so I think those rights are being infringed upon.
I agree with Zoe! I understand with it being the Olympics and they worry about protesters getting out of hand, and for the safety of the viewers of the games. But the right to protest is being taken away by the protesters.
I agree and disagree with both Kristen and Zoe. Yes, the arranged sight for protesting is defeating the purpose and placing limits on their rights as protesters but I think it's in the best interest of those who are visiting for the Olympics that they do this. But if they were to continue this policy of contained protesting after the Olympics then that's definitely wrong and an infringement on their rights.
Agreeing with both Zoe and Kristen, setting a limit on the protest does defeat the purpose, but the circumstances do call for having set limits. Also, if the country is protesting in favor of a political reform, it is unlikely for them to follow the regulations. The limitations set on protests could itself become a reason to protest. :)
A lot of the time, protests can become violent and I think that is why they are giving them a certain place to protest. I also think that it still gives them their right to protest so it doesn't violate their rights. It is not breaking a law because they are still letting them protest, but confining them to a secure place.
I think it is a good idea for Russia to restrict protesting to certain zones. After all, the Olympics are supposed to be an event where countries put aside their political/social differences, not hold political protests against the hosting government.
i think that limiting protest and restricting them to a certain area is fine during the Olympics due to the fact that Russia is not going to have enough people to both secure the Olympics and the protestors