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 lawful activities of authorities through dissemination of false information (Art. 284 Criminal Code RF)
More (Arts. 29, 31 Constitution – Freedom of Speech/Assembly) →
More (Federal Law “On Mass Media”) →
More (Federal Law “On Counteracting Extremist Activities”) →
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. The Court found these measures to be a "coordinated effort to suppress dissent" and incompatible with democratic standards.
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 Feb 2025): Grand Chamber ruled Russia's 2022 wartime laws prohibiting "discrediting the armed forces" and spreading "fake news" violated Article 10 ECHR. Shutdown of Novaya Gazeta, TV Dozhd, prosecutions of journalists like Dmytro Gordon and Mikhail Afanasyev. Awards €7,500–€10,000 per claimant.
- Barents Observer v. Russia (6 Feb 2025): Roskomnadzor's 2019 block of the website declared unlawful under Article 10. Highlighted failure to justify restrictions as "necessary in a democratic society".
- Dud and Others v. Russia (Foreign Agents cases, May–June 2024): Violations of Articles 10 and 11 due to labeling independent media and activists as "foreign agents", causing self-censorship and blocks. Awards up to €15,000 per applicant.
- Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia (Interstate case, June–Nov 2024): Confirmed systemic censorship in occupied Ukrainian territories; forced propaganda broadcasts; compensation claims >€10 billion.
- Kobaliya and Others v. Russia (2024–2025): Defamation laws used to silence critics found disproportionate and breaching freedom of expression.
Connection to Legal Violations
- Systemic Nature: Coordinated suppression via laws incompatible with ECHR standards; >1.2 million website blocks, >8,000 media warnings (2014–2025).
- Occupied Territories: Forced propaganda broadcasts and arrests of >150 journalists (RSF, CPJ).
- Non-Compliance: Russia expelled from Council of Europe Sept 2022; rulings apply retroactively and highlight ongoing violations.
- Broader Impact: Criminalization of dissent contradicts Federal Law “On Mass Media” (Art. 3) and Constitution Arts. 29–31.
Qualification and Implications
- Violations Found: Article 10 ECHR in all cases; some include Articles 11 and 6.
- Subjects: Russian officials (Roskomnadzor heads, prosecutors, judges) and occupation administrators.
- Evidence: Blocked site logs, court transcripts, witness testimonies, OSCE/UN reports; >500 related cases pending.
International Context
Rulings align with UN resolutions (e.g., GA Res. ES-11/4) and ICC investigations into censorship as a crime against humanity (Rome Statute Art. 7(1)(k)). PACE Res. 2432 (2022) condemned Russian media suppression. Support exiled Russian media initiatives (e.g., RSF).
Useful Links
Primary Legal Source
The legal analysis in this article is based on the official text of the
European Convention on Human Rights (1950, as amended) and related case law.
Reference edition:
ECHR – Official Text.
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