Peter Roudik

Topic: Government employees
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Rewards for Assisting Police (Oct. 03, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On August 23, 2012, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (police) of the Russian Federation published on its ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Financial Pyramids Will Be Outlawed (Oct. 03, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On August 23, 2012, the Ukrainian Commission on Financial Markets Regulation approved draft legislation banning financial pyramids in

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Physicians Required to Make House Calls (Aug. 20, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On June 27, 2012, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation registered new Rules of Initial Medical Assistance issued by the Health Care and Social ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Defamation is Criminalized Again (Aug. 20, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On July 28, 2012, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation signed into law amendments to the country's Criminal Code, recently passed by the legislature, which ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Minority Languages May Become Official in Parts of the Country (Aug. 13, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On August 8, 2012, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich, signed into law the Principles of State Language Policy Act adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament on ...

Topic: Languages
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Implementation of Jury Trials Postponed (Jul. 16, 2012) by Peter Roudik

Kyrgyzstan will soon become another former Soviet republic in which courts with jurors will be introduced, based on an amendment to the Law on Jurors in ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Ombudsman Challenges the Law on Demonstrations (Jun. 26, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On May 16, 2012, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia issued a statement addressing recent police abuse and the use of excessive power ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: Armenia

Jurors in Tbilisi Court Pronounce Guilty Verdicts (Jun. 21, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On June 15, 2012, a guilty verdict was pronounced by jurors in a case of premeditated murder tried in Tbilisi City Court. (Davit Rusishvili to ...

New Restrictions on Smoking Introduced (May. 31, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On May 24, 2012, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted a law amending several previously passed laws regulating consumption of tobacco products (Text of ...

Katyn Massacre Case Is Closed (May. 11, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On April 16, 2012, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued its decision in the case Janowiec and Others v. Russia, stating that while there ...

Topic: War crimes
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights / Russian Federation

Pedophiles to Be Punished with Chemical Castration (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On March 6, 2012, the Parliament of Moldova amended the country's Criminal Code and introduced chemical castration as a mandatory punishment for violent sexual crimes committed ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Moldova

Legislators to Be Fined for Being AWOL (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik

In October 2011, according to an initiative of the ruling coalition, the Parliament of Moldova amended its own Rules of Internal Procedure (Reglament) and established that ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Moldova

Official Online Publication of Legal Acts (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On February 24, 2012, President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus issued two decrees amending the system of official publication of legal acts in the country. According to ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Belarus

Gay Advocacy Among Minors Can Be Prohibited (Feb. 24, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On February 8, 2012, the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg, Russia's second largest city and one of the constituent components of the Russian Federation, approved on ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking (Feb. 06, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On November 21, 2011, the Kyrgyz President signed into law the amended version of the country's Law on Preventing and Countering Human Trafficking. (Law on ...

Attacks on Transportation to Be Criminalized (Jan. 26, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On October 19, 2011, the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved, in the first reading, amendments to the Russian Criminal Code that will establish criminal ...

Topic: Transportation
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Rules for Legislative Elections (Jan. 17, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On November 17, 2011, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine passed a new law on the election of its members that eliminates the present proportional electoral ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Constitutional Amendment on Russian Language Proposed (Jan. 06, 2012) by Peter Roudik

On January 3, 2012, the Central Election Commission of Latvia announced that a referendum on a constitutional amendment ...

Topic: Languages
Jurisdiction: Latvia

Browsing Foreign Websites a Misdemeanor (Dec. 30, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On December 21, 2011, the governmental portal dedicated to official publication of laws and other legal acts issued in the Republic of Belarus published Law No. ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Belarus

Electronic Turnover of Laws in the Legislature (Dec. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On December 9, 2011, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the national legislature) passed a law amending its own rules of internal procedure. As soon as the ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Court Ruling on Evidence Makes Former President Immune from Prosecution (Dec. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On October 20, 2011, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine interpreted constitutional provisions on due process and rules of evidence. This ruling was issued in response to ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Courts with Jurors Established Nationwide (Nov. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik

As of July 1, 2012, jury trials will commence throughout Georgia, making it the first nation in the South Caucasus to implement a jury trial system ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Georgia

Long Prison Sentence for a Former Prime Minister (Oct. 19, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On October 11, 2011, a district court in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv sentenced former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko who had been ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

New Law on Religion Enacted (Oct. 17, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On October 13, 2011, President Nursultan Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan signed into law a series of amendments and supplements to a number of Kazakhstan's legal acts, addressing ...

Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Ministry of Finance Will Distribute Aid for Foreign Development (Sep. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On August 26, 2011, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted a proposal of the Ministry of Finance to amend the Federal Law on Government of ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Hunger Strikes Are Deemed Riots (Sep. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On September 5, 2011, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) started deliberations on government-proposed amendments to the Russian Code ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Government Takes Measures Against Extremism (Aug. 16, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On July 29, 2011, President Dmitri Medvedev of the Russian Federation signed a decree ordering the creation of an interagency governmental commission on counteracting extremist activities ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Foreign Donations to Russian NGOs Are Exempt from Taxation (Aug. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On July 28, 2011, the Supreme Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation (the country's highest judicial authority for commercial disputes) ruled that no difference in ...

Topic: Taxation
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Court Verdicts on Border-Crossing Offenses Vary Depending on Nationality of the Accused (Jul. 11, 2011) by Peter Roudik

Russia continues to expand its ties with the secessionist Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are promoted as vacation destinations for Russian summer travelers. ...

Topic: Border security
Jurisdiction: Georgia

Constitutional Court Bans Official Display of Red Flags (Jul. 01, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On June 17, 2011, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that the red flag cannot have the same official status as a state symbol as the ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Treaty on Utilization of Plutonium Ratified (Jun. 27, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On June 8, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed the Law on Ratification of the Protocol to the Russian Federation - United States of ...

Topic: Weapons
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation / United States

Nationalization Law Considered (Jun. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik

It was recently reported that the Parliament of Kazakhstan has started to consider a new bill on state property that will consolidate current Kazakh legislation on ...

Topic: Property
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Harsher Punishment for Crimes Against Children (Jun. 14, 2011) by Peter Roudik

It was reported on May 10, 2011, that a bill aimed at increasing punishments for sexual crimes committed against children has been drafted by the administration ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Animal Sacrifice for Improvement of Legislative Work (May. 03, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On April 21, 2011, before the beginning of the plenary session, all 120 members of the Kyrgyz Parliament (Zhogorku Kinesh) conducted a sacrificial killing of seven ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Parents of Students Studying Abroad Prosecuted (Apr. 22, 2011) by Peter Roudik

It has been reported recently that Tajik police authorities have initiated criminal cases against individuals whose minor children are studying in religious, Islamic schools in foreign ...

Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Tajikistan

Presidential Elections Declared Invalid (Mar. 30, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On February 22, 2011, Behgjet Pacolli was elected the President of Kosovo by the legislature of that Balkan country, but the election was recently declared unconstitutional ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Kosovo

Amendments to Criminal Legislation (Feb. 18, 2011) by Peter Roudik

In January and February 2011, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted a number of amendments to the country's Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Public Discussions on Bills Will Be Initiated (Feb. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On February 9, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree under which federal constitutional laws and federal laws that address major issues of ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Law on Police (Feb. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On February 7, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed the new Federal Law on Police. The Law, which was proposed by the President last ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Constitutional Amendment and Early Presidential Elections (Feb. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On January 31, 2011, the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan recognized as unconstitutional the amendment to the country's Constitution under which the term of ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Government Invests in Enhanced Surveillance (Feb. 03, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On January 28, 2011, Russian media outlets reported that on January 11, 2011, the government had issued a resolution approving a two-year program of investing in ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Parliament Supports Extension of President's Term of Office (Jan. 06, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On December 29, 2010, the Mazhilis (lower house of the legislature) of Kazakhstan voted to support the initiative of various public groups, which were recently registered ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Reduction in Force for Civil Servants (Jan. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On January 3, 2011, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev issued a Decree on Optimization of the Number of Federal Civil Employees and Employees of Federal Government Institutions. ...

Topic: Government employees
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Protection of Children from Harmful Information (Jan. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik

On January 3, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed into law the Protection of Children from Negative and Harmful Information Act, which was passed ...

Topic: Children
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Legislative Ban on Human Cloning Proposed (Dec. 13, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On December 6, 2010, the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of the Russian Federation submitted its version of the Biomedical Cell Technologies Act to ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Chief Justice Insists on Limited Application of International Court Rulings (Dec. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik

The Thirteenth International Constitutional Justice Forum was held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on November 18-20, 2010. More than 90 justices, clerks of constitutional courts, and scholars ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Ban on Soviet Symbols Proposed (Dec. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik

As reported by the Newsru.com Information Agency, on October 29, 2010, the Parliament of Georgia almost unanimously adopted the "Liberty Charter" introduced by pro-government parliamentary factions. ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Georgia

Reform of the Constitutional Court Proposed (Oct. 14, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On October 7, 2010, the State Duma (the lower house of the legislature) of the Russian Federation considered and approved on the first reading a bill ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

The 1996 Constitution Is Reinstated (Oct. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On October 4, 2010, the coalition of ruling party factions in the Ukrainian Parliament was dissolved, and a unified parliamentary majority was formed. This move reflected ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Constitutional Amendments Discussed in Parliament (Sep. 23, 2010) by Peter Roudik

After the constitutionally required month of public discussions regarding the change of the nation's Constitution following the approval of the draft by the country's Constitutional Commission ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Georgia

President's Name and Portrait Cannot Be Used in Election (Sep. 22, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On September 16, 2010, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine issued a decree aimed at preventing legal violations during the current election campaign, which started nationwide on ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Referendum on Constitutional Amendments (Jul. 13, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On July 6, 2010, the Constitutional Court of Moldova approved the constitutionality of the parliamentary decision to conduct a nation-wide referendum in order to pass amendments ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Moldova

Chief Justice Insists on Obligatory Role of Judicial Precedents (Jun. 29, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On May 18, 2010, in a speech at the annual meeting of the Council of Judges, Russia's highest professional body for the country's judges, the Chief ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Names of All Persons Sentenced by Courts Will Be Published (Jun. 21, 2010) by Peter Roudik

The Federal Law of the Russian Federation on Information Related to the Activities of the Federal Judiciary (Information on Judiciary Law) will enter into force on ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Law on Foreign and Domestic Policy (Jun. 10, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On June 2, 2010, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) the Bill on Basic Principles of Foreign and Domestic Policy ( ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Separatist Regions of Georgia Conclude Military Agreements with Russia (Jun. 10, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On May 5, 2010, the parliament of South Ossetia, a disputed region within Georgia that declared its independence from Georgia in 1990, ratified the Treaty on ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Georgia / Russian Federation

New Requirements for Labor Migrants (Jun. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On May 7, 2010, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (lower house of the legislature) finalized amendments to the Federal Law on the Legal Status ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Easier Procedures for Migrant Workers (Mar. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On February 26, 2010, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation approved on a first reading and accepted for further consideration amendments to the nation's ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Restrictions For Controlled Substances (Jan. 27, 2010) by Peter Roudik

On December 31, 2009, the Government of the Russian Federation issued two regulations which extend the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances and establish a new ...

Topic: Narcotics and drug abuse
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Death Penalty Ruled Unconstitutional (Dec. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On January 1, 2010, a death penalty moratorium, which was introduced in Russia in 1999, was scheduled to expire because of the establishment of courts with ...

Topic: Capital punishment
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Pensions for Emigrants (Nov. 09, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On October 9, 2009, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine announced its decision to recognize selected provisions of articles 49 and 51 of the Law on Mandatory ...

Topic: Pensions and retirement
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Court Okays Calling Stalin a Murderer (Oct. 30, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On October 14, 2009, a local court in the city of Moscow refused to rule in favor of Joseph Stalin's grandson, who sued an independent Russian ...

Topic: Freedom of the press
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Ban on Human Cloning Extended for Five More Years (Oct. 16, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On October 2, 2009, the Minister of Health Care and Social Services of the Russian Federation announced a government decision to extend the ban on human ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Parliament Discusses Using Drugs to Lower Sex Drive of Pedophiles (Oct. 09, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On September 30, 2009, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) included in its agenda a bill on amendments to ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Passports Will Be Issued In-Person Only (Oct. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On September 8, 2009, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation confirmed as legal the existing practice whereby an individual may only submit to police authorities ...

Topic: Administrative law
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Denial of Soviet Occupation Criminalized (Oct. 05, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On September 30, 2009, the Parliament of Lithuania adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that introduce criminal responsibility for denial or justification of crimes against ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Lithuania

Immigration Privileges for Those Who Know Russian (Sep. 17, 2009) by Peter Roudik

According to news reports, the legislative agenda of the Federation Council (upper chamber) will include a bill on privileges for those labor migrants who have a ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Rules for Street Rallies (Aug. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On July 11, 2009, the Parliament of the Republic of Georgia adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Mass Gatherings and Demonstrations, placing restrictions on the ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Georgia

Internet Recognized as Mass Media (Aug. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik

According to amendments to the nation's Mass Media law signed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on July 11, 2009, all Internet resources are now recognized ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Flags with Depiction of Cross Outlawed (Aug. 24, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On August 14, 2009, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation updated the federal list of prohibited extremist materials to include all flags with an ...

Topic: National security
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Legislative Agenda Subject to Church Influence (Jul. 27, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On July 8, 2009, following a meeting between the leadership of the Russian State Duma (lower house of the national legislature) and Patriarch Kirill, the Head ...

Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Return of Jewish Property Confiscated by the Soviets (Jul. 08, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On June 25, 2009, the Government of Lithuania submitted to the Parliament its draft Law on Compensation to the Jewish Community for Non-Return of Property Confiscated ...

Topic: Property
Jurisdiction: Lithuania

Gambling Banned Nationwide (Jun. 30, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On June 23, 2009, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine signed a law that prohibits gambling in the country. On June 11, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) had ...

Topic: Gambling
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

New Law on Religious Organizations (Jun. 16, 2009) by Peter Roudik

A new Law on Religious Organizations and related amendments to Azerbaijan's Criminal Code and Code of Administrative Violations entered into force on May 31, 2009, after ...

Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Azerbaijan

Proposed New Military Component of a Political Union (Jun. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik

It was reported that on June14, 2009, the heads of state of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, former Soviet republics that had formed ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Former USSR

Employment Quotas Proposed for the Young (Jun. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik

The Legislative Assembly of Chelyabinsk (an industrial region in the Ural Mountains that is one of the Russian constituent components) is discussing the First Employment Act, ...

Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Tighter Control of Court System Proposed (May. 22, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On May 8, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed an amendment to the Federal Constitutional Law on the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, to change ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Fines for Littering (May. 18, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On May 13, 2009, the Mayor of the City of Vilnius, which is the capital of Lithuania, issued a decree that introduces hefty fines for those ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Lithuania

Pirates Will Be Prosecuted Under Russian Laws (May. 18, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On May 12, 2009, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Alexander Zviagintsev, stated in an interview in the Russian official government daily newspaper, Rossiiskaia ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Court Rules Against Book Reviewers (May. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On April 23, 2009, a federal district court in the southern Russian province of Dagestan issued an unprecedented ruling, ordering a journalist of a local newspaper ...

Topic: Civil liability
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Losing Political Parties to Be Represented in Parliament (May. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On April 8, 2009, amendments to the Federal Law on Political Parties were passed in Russia. Proposed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, they are aimed, according ...

Topic: Politics and government
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Procedures for Appointment of Governors (May. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On April 23, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed into law a series of amendments to federal laws that will affect the activities of political parties, ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Government Guarantees for Air Travelers (Apr. 21, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On April 13, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a regulation approving new rules for providing government subsidies to air carriers. After this regulation enters ...

Topic: Transportation
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Law on Religious Organizations (Apr. 03, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On March 26, 2009, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rachmon, signed into law a recently adopted bill on freedom of conscience and religious organizations. Preserving the ...

Topic: Religion
Jurisdiction: Tajikistan

No Criminal Liability for Medical Errors (Apr. 02, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On March 10, 2009, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to article 124 of the country's Criminal Code, which establishes the punishment ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Criminal Liability for Selling Alcohol to Minors (Apr. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On March 3, 2009, a bill on amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure was introduced in the State Duma (legislature) of ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Groups of Police Volunteers May Be Established (Apr. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik

In an interview given to the Russian government-owned daily newspaper ROSSIISKAIA GAZETA on March 10, 2009, the Minister of Internal Affairs (police) of the Russian Federation ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Criminal Law and the Soviet Role in WWII (Mar. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On February 24, 2009, the Vice-Chairman of the Federation Council (the upper chamber of the Russian legislature), while in Poland attending events commemorating the anniversary of ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New and Varied Fees for Car Owners (Mar. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On February 24, 2009, the Government of Ukraine passed a regulation to establish new amounts for car registration and state car inspection fees. The fees will ...

Topic: Transportation
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Law to Counter Terrorism Financing (Mar. 04, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On February 10, 2009, the Milli Majlis (legislature) of Azerbaijan passed the Law on Countering Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. The Law was drafted under the ...

Topic: Money laundering
Jurisdiction: Azerbaijan

Constitutional Amendments Enter into Force (Feb. 04, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On January 21, 2009, the government-published daily newspaper ROSSIISKAIA GAZETA published the official text of recently adopted amendments to the Russian Constitution. These amendments provide for ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Simplified Impeachment Procedures (Feb. 03, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On January 15, 2009, the Ukrainian legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, adopted the Law on Special Temporary Investigative Commissions, which simplifies the procedure for the legislative body ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Court Removes Limits on Number of Presidential Terms (Jan. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On December 24, 2008, the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan ruled that amendments to the nation's Constitution passed by the legislature on December 19, 2008, are constitutional ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Azerbaijan

Laws Translated into Minority Languages (Jan. 23, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On January 5, 2009, the Government of Georgia launched the publication of the nation's Constitution and other legislative acts in the Azerbaijani language. Ethnic Azerbaijanis are ...

Topic: Languages
Jurisdiction: Georgia

Children Banned from Travel Abroad (Jan. 23, 2009) by Peter Roudik

On December 16, 2008, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus issued a decree prohibiting organized travel of groups of Belarusian children to the United States and member ...

Topic: Children
Jurisdiction: Belarus

New Public Entertainment Rules (Dec. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On November 24, 2008, Ivan Gasparovic, the President of the Slovak Republic, signed a new Law on Organizing Public Sports and Tourism Events. The Law is ...

Topic: Sports
Jurisdiction: Slovak Republic

New Rules for University Admission (Dec. 19, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 3, 2008, the Russian Minister of Science and Education signed a government order on new university admission procedures, which will be applicable as of ...

Topic: Education
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Laws Will Be Passed in Foreign Languages (Dec. 15, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 2, 2008, the Armenian Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Legal Acts that obligate the government to draft, and the legislature to pass, ...

Topic: Languages
Jurisdiction: Armenia

New Requirements for Judicial Appointments (Dec. 15, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 2, 2008, the Congress of Russian Trial Judges held its session in Moscow. This is the highest authority in the judicial professional community, and ...

Topic: Judges
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Amnesty Law (Dec. 01, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On November 21, 2008, the Parliament of the Republic of Georgia adopted the Law on Amnesty. An amnesty was proposed by the government as one of ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Georgia

More Control over Military Conscription (Nov. 25, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On November 12, 2008, the State Duma (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Federal Law on Military Duty and Military Service, which establish stricter ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Stricter Punishment for Drunk Driving (Nov. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On November 14, 2008, the State Duma (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that prescribe heavier punishments for driving while intoxicated or ...

Topic: Driving while intoxicated
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Limited Digitization Permitted for Three Libraries (Oct. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On October 15, 2008, the Federal Assembly (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Federal Law on Libraries, which designates the newly established Presidential Library ...

Topic: Libraries
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Ruling on Georgia v. Russian Federation (Oct. 20, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On October 15, 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its ruling in Georgia v. Russian Federation, which was brought to the Court on August ...

Topic: International law
Jurisdiction: International Court of Justice

Prison Term for Begging (Oct. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On September 26, 2008, the Parliament of Moldova adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that make begging and other related activities a felony. Under the ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Moldova

New Constitution (Oct. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On September 25, 2008, a new Constitution was adopted in Turkmenistan. This new basic law of the Central Asian country stipulates that the highest existing representative ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Turkmenistan

Citizenship Acquisition to Be Simplified (Sep. 30, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On September 22, 2008, the upper chamber of the Russian legislature, the Federation Council, adopted amendments to the Russian Federal Law on Citizenship, aimed at the ...

Topic: Nationality and citizenship
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Peacekeeping Contingent in Afghanistan Will Be Doubled (Sep. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On September 18, 2008, the Security and Defense Committee of the Parliament of Azerbaijan unanimously approved amendments to the Law on Participation in Peacekeeping Operations in ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Azerbaijan

Further Democratizaton of Political Process (Sep. 25, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On September 16, 2008, the President of Georgia delivered his "State of the Nation" address to the Parliament and proposed a series of reforms aimed at ...

Topic: Democratization and democracy
Jurisdiction: Georgia

New Rules for International Exhibitions (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On August 20, 2008, the office of the President of Turkmenistan announced that amendments to the nation's Law on Foreign Investment have entered into force. According ...

Topic: Foreign investment
Jurisdiction: Turkmenistan

Self-Governance Granted to Caucasus Republics (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On August 25, 2008, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) adopted a law that provides for the creation of ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Conditions for Police Work (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On August 25, 2008, the Interior Minister of Bulgaria, which has recently been admitted into the European Union, announced a number of police reforms aimed at ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: Bulgaria

National Population Database (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On July 28, 2008, the President of Belarus signed the Law on Population Registry. The Law provides for the creation of ...

Topic: Administrative law
Jurisdiction: Belarus

Individual Credit History Will Be Regulated by Law (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On August 20, 2008, the lower chamber of the Belarus legislature approved the Credit History Law, which obligates all banks and credit institutions operating in Belarus ...

Topic: Banks and financial institutions
Jurisdiction: Belarus

Election Law Reform Proposed (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On June 17, 2008, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov submitted to the Parliament a set of bills that would amend the existing election system and initiate political ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Bulgaria

Ban on Nazi and Soviet Symbols (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On June 17, 2008, the Lithuanian Parliament adopted amendments to several domestic laws that regulate the implementation of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, to ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Lithuania

Election Law Changed (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On June 3, 2008, amendments to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan were passed by the nation's legislature. The amendments, which were proposed by the Azerbaijani presidential ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Azerbaijan

Law on Public Demonstrations Approved (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On June 12, 2008, the Kyrgyz Law on Peaceful Public Gatherings was amended with a provision that defines the procedure for applying to local authorities for ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Public Control over Penitentiaries Introduced (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On June 10, 2008, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed into law the bill on public control for the implementation of human rights in penal institutions and ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Personal Identification Numbers Issued (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On May 9, 2008, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Law on Personal Identification Numbers, under which personal identification numbers (PINs) will be introduced in Croatia for ...

Topic: Identification
Jurisdiction: Croatia

Supreme Court Lifts Confiscation Clause (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On May 18, 2008, the Supreme Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation, the highest judicial body in the country to resolve commercial disputes, announced its ...

Topic: Civil procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Rules for Sick Leave Benefits (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On May 15, 2008, the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic invalidated the package of reform legislation initiated by the government that had provided for the ...

Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Czech Republic

Car Insurance Made Obligatory (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 21, 2008, the President of Uzbekistan promulgated the Law on Mandatory Civil Liability Insurance of Vehicle Owners, making Uzbekistan the first post-Soviet country where ...

Topic: Insurance
Jurisdiction: Uzbekistan

Restrictions on Transit Fine Imposition (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On May 12, 2008, the Supreme Court of Estonia decided that the company that runs public transportation in the capital city of Tallinn and inspects whether ...

Topic: Transportation
Jurisdiction: Estonia

Foreign Military Operations Allowed (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 11, 2008, the Parliament of Bulgaria revised the Law on Defense and Armed Forces of Bulgaria. The amendment repeals a provision that stated that ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Bulgaria

Constitution Signed (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 9, 2008, the Parliament of Kosovo unanimously adopted the Constitution, which was signed by Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. The ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Kosovo

Ban on Wi-Fi Connections in Private Residences (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On March 19, 2008, the Russian Federation's Federal Agency on Telecommunications Supervision (analogous to the FCC in the United States) issued a regulation that restricts the ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Supreme Court Rules to Acquit Military Deserters (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 3, 2008, the plenary session of the Russian Federation Supreme Court reviewed the lower courts' practice in resolving cases related to draft dodging and ...

Topic: Military
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Rules for Property Registration (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 16, 2008, the Parliament of Belarus passed amendments to the Law on State Registration of Real Estate. The amendments deal with the transfer of ...

Topic: Property
Jurisdiction: Belarus

New Procedure to Amend Constitution (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 18, 2008, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that the nation's Constitution can be amended following the results of a national referendum. This ruling ...

Topic: Constitutional law
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Police Reform Adopted (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On April 10, 2008, the Parliament of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted two laws on police reform, which regulate the independence and supervision of ...

Topic: Police
Jurisdiction: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Import of Blackberry Phones Permitted (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 26, 2008, the Federal Security Service (knows as the FSB, successor to the former Soviet KGB) issued permits to two major Russian cellular telephone ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Sale of Alcohol at Night Prohibited (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 26, 2008, the Parliament of Estonia approved amendments to the nation's Alcohol Act that introduce time restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. According ...

Topic: Commerce and industry
Jurisdiction: Estonia

Judicial Authorization of Arrests Required (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 21, 2008, the legislature of Kazakhstan amended the nation's Code of Criminal Procedure and the Law on the Prosecutor's Office in regard to the ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Kazakhstan

Wiretapping Ordered for All Telephone Conversations (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On March 4, 2008, the Russian Federation Information and Telecommunications Ministry published a regulation that obligates all telecommunications companies and Internet providers to guarantee to the ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

New Law on Freedom of Assembly (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 29, 2008, the Parliament of Moldova adopted a new Law on Assembly, drafted in accordance with the MoldovaEuropean Union Action Plan adopted by the ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Moldova

New Law on Land Market (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On March 4, 2008, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine adopted the Law on the Land Market. The Law determines legal and economic principles for the ...

Topic: Property
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Bailiffs Now Have Housebreaking Right (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 1, 2008, an amended version of the Federal Law on Execution of Judgments of the Russian Federation entered into force. The newly passed amendments ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Government Combats Trafficking (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 31, 2008, the Government of Uzbekistan conducted a Cabinet meeting dedicated to the problem of human trafficking. Although the trafficking of women for sex ...

Topic: Trafficking in persons
Jurisdiction: Uzbekistan

Weapons for Members of Parliament (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 23, 2008, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Weapons that provide for issuance of service weapons to the members ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Quotas for Guest Workers (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On February 1, 2008, a new annual cycle for the issuance of migrant quotas started in Russia. According to a government regulation, two million guest workers ...

Topic: Immigration
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Visits to Opera and Circus Are Allowed Again (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 21, 2008, President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan repealed bans on opera and circus performances established in 2001 by his predecessor, who had believed that ...

Topic: Arts
Jurisdiction: Turkmenistan

New Terms of Office for Governors (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 10, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine amended the Law on Provincial and Local State Administrations, following the recommendation of the President of ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

National Version of Presidential Libraries (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 9, 2008, the Government of the Russian Federation introduced to the legislature a bill on legacy centers for presidents whose term of office has ...

Topic: Libraries
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Presidential Elections Act Approved (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 27, 2007, the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro approved a new law on presidential elections. The law provides for direct popular elections of ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Montenegro

Total Ban on Tobacco Advertisement (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 10, 2007, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted the Resolution on Joining the Framework Convention of the World Health Organization on the Fight ...

Topic: Health and safety
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Judicial Code Enters into Force (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 1, 2008, the Judicial Code, which was passed by the Armenian legislature on April 28, 2007, entered into force. For the first time, a ...

Topic: Courts
Jurisdiction: Armenia

New Law on Government (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On January 10, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) adopted a new version of the Law on Government, agreed upon by all the political parties that ...

Topic: Government organization
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Cell Phone Ban in Parliament (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

The members of the Dzhogorku Kenesh, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, will be forbidden to use cell phones during legislative sessions under an amendment to the rules ...

Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

Federal Passport Control System Created (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 18, 2007, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to the Federal Anti-Money Laundering Law that provide for the creation of ...

Topic: Money laundering
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Telecom Providers Required to Monitor All Customers (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 18, 2007, the Parliament of Lithuania adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Electronic Communications, which obligate the providers of regular and mobile telephone ...

Topic: Communications and electronic information
Jurisdiction: Lithuania

Wrong Interpretation of History Is a Crime (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 10, 2007, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine introduced amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine that were supported by the legislature. The new provisions ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

New Consumer Protection Law (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik

On December 10, 2007, newly adopted amendments to the Russian Consumer Protection Law entered into force. The Law includes provisions aimed at introducing the right of ...

Topic: Consumer protection
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Constitutional Amendments Passed on Election System (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 21, 2007, a national referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan to adopt constitutional amendments designed, according to President Bakiev, to "resolve problems of tribalism, gender ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

New Measures to Promote the Native Language (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On November 20, 2007, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree on further promotion of the state language, which is Ukrainian, in the areas predominantly populated ...

Topic: Languages
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

Restrictions on Sexual Services (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 26, 2007, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia adopted a decree proposed by the Riga City Hall on limiting prostitution. Latvia is not a ...

Topic: Criminal law and procedure
Jurisdiction: Latvia

New Election Legislation (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On November 20, 2007, as a part of the compromise between the opposition parties, the Parliament adopted amendments to Georgia's election laws, which will apply during ...

Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Georgia

New Abortion Restrictions (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 29, 2007, the Russian Federation Health Care and Social Development Ministry issued an executive regulation that establishes a new procedure for providing abortion services. ...

Topic: Abortion
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Higher Education Reform (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 11, 2007, the Federation Council (legislature) of Russia passed a law that introduced a two-tier higher education system. As of 2009, the existing five-year ...

Topic: Education
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Compensation for Victims of Federal Troops in Chechnya (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 4, 2007, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a ruling under which Russia is obligated to pay 200,000 (about US$285,000) to three ...

Topic: Human rights
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation

Elimination of State Assistance (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 22, 2007, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus signed a decree ordering implementation of measures aimed at the abolition of state benefits that had been ...

Topic: Public welfare
Jurisdiction: Belarus

New Rules for Transfer of Cultural Valuables (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 15, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted amendments to the Ukrainian Law on Export, Import, and Return of Cultural Valuables, which regulates ...

Topic: Cultural property
Jurisdiction: Ukraine

New Measures to Stop Money Laundering (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik

On October 18, 2007, the Government of Estonia approved a set of measures aimed at preventing the financing of terrorist activities and submitted a legislative proposal ...

Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: Estonia