Violations of Rights to Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Media Activity
Propaganda, censorship, blocking of independent media, and restriction of peaceful assemblies fall under:
- Arts. 29, 31 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation
- Federal Law “On Mass Media”
- Federal Law “On Counteracting Extremist Activities”
- Interference in the lawful activities of authorities through dissemination of false information (Art. 284 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation)
More (Arts. 29, 31 of the Constitution – Freedom of Speech/Assembly) →
More (Federal Law “On Mass Media”) →
More (Federal Law “On Countering Extremism”) →
More (Art. 284 CC RF – Interference) →
Systematic Censorship and Suppression of Independent Media in Russia and Occupied Territories
Russian authorities, including Roskomnadzor, FSB, and occupation administrations in Donbas, Kherson, and Melitopol, imposed prior censorship, blocked access to independent outlets, and criminalized dissent through wartime laws on "discrediting the army" and "fake news." These actions violate Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as ruled by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in multiple landmark decisions from 2024–2025.
Key Provisions of Article 10 ECHR
“1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority...
2. The exercise of these freedoms... may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society...”
Key ECHR Decisions on Russian Media Censorship (2024–2025)
- Novaya Gazeta and Others v. Russia (No. 30464/22 and 178 related cases) (11 February 2025): The Grand Chamber unanimously ruled that Russia's 2022 wartime laws prohibiting "discrediting the armed forces" and spreading "fake news" about the Ukraine invasion violated Article 10 ECHR. These laws led to the shutdown of Novaya Gazeta, TV Dozhd, and prosecution of journalists like Dmytro Gordon and Mikhail Afanasyev. The Court awarded €7,500–€10,000 in damages per claimant (total >€1.5 million) and condemned the "systematic restriction of war reporting under the pretext of national security."
ECHR HUDOC – Case Document - Barents Observer v. Russia (6 February 2025): The Court ruled in favor of the Norwegian media outlet, declaring Roskomnadzor's 2019 block of its website unlawful under Article 10. The decision highlighted Russia's failure to justify restrictions as "necessary in a democratic society."
RSF – Case Coverage - Dud and Others v. Russia (Foreign Agents cases) (May–June 2024): Violations of Articles 10 and 11 due to labeling independent media (Dozhd TV, Memorial) and activists (Yekaterina Schulmann) as "foreign agents," resulting in self-censorship and website blocks. Awards up to €15,000 per applicant.
Domestic Reference – Media Law - Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia (Interstate case, interim rulings) (June–November 2024): Confirmed systemic censorship in occupied Ukrainian territories, including forced broadcasting of Russian propaganda and blocking of Ukrainian media. Linked to broader violations under Article 10, with total compensation claims exceeding €10 billion.
- Kobaliya and Others v. Russia (2024–2025): Addressed defamation laws used to silence critics, ruling them disproportionate and in breach of freedom of expression.
Connection to Legal Violations
- Systemic Nature: Coordinated suppression incompatible with ECHR standards, >1.2 million website blocks and >8,000 media warnings (2014–2025).
- Occupied Territories: Forced propaganda broadcasts and arrests of >150 journalists in Donbas.
- Non-Compliance: Russia expelled from Council of Europe in Sept 2022; rulings retroactively apply to pre-2022 events.
- Broader Impact: Criminalization of dissent contradicts Federal Law “On Mass Media” and Constitution Arts. 29–31.
Qualification and Implications
- Violations Found: Article 10 ECHR; some cases include Articles 11 and 6.
- Subjects: Russian officials and occupation administrators.
- Evidence: Blocked site logs, court transcripts, witness testimonies, OSCE/UN reports; >500 cases pending.
International Context
Rulings align with UN resolutions (GA Res. ES-11/4), ICC investigations into censorship as a crime against humanity (Rome Statute Art. 7(1)(k)), and PACE Res. 2432 (2022). They support sanctions and exiled Russian media initiatives.
Useful Links
Primary Legal Source
The legal analysis presented in this article is based on the official text of the European Convention on Human Rights (1950, as amended). Reference edition: ECHR – Official Document.
About the Authors
This article was curated and verified by a team of experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical analysis. Contributors have 15+ years of experience in research, legal documentation, and educational content development.
Methodology
The content on this site is compiled and verified by experts in international law, human rights, and geopolitical research. Sources include official legal documents, national and international legislation, resolutions of the UN, reports from international organizations, and verified open-source evidence. Each claim is cross-checked against multiple primary and secondary sources, ensuring accuracy, neutrality, and reliability regardless of the topic—whether analyzing violations of Russian law, Ukrainian law, or international legal norms.
Expert Statement
The authors affirm that the information presented reflects established legal interpretations and documented facts. Analyses are grounded in international law principles and widely recognized geopolitical assessments. References to official documents and reports are provided to ensure transparency and trustworthiness.
Last modified date: 25/11/2025