We, the members of the Autonomous Action movement, have begun a public campaign in defense of all people in Russia who have suffered from the abuse and lawlessness of so-called Center “E” (the Russian Federation Interior Ministry’s Center for Extremism Prevention) and other law enforcement agencies. We encourage everyone to show that they care about what is happening. If you agree with the goals stated in this manifesto, join us in our public protest campaign!

What Is Center “E”? What Is the Law on “Extremism”? Why Are We Opposed?

Last year the Russian state authorities organized special units known as Center “E” – an Interior Ministry department for combating “extremists.” Although their explicit mission is to combat manifestations of extremism, these new units were staffed by former members of the Interior Ministry’s Organized Crime Squads (UBOP), which were disbanded last year. In the short period since their formation, the new units have managed on numerous occasions to show that they are a threat to society: they regularly and consistently abuse their powers and violate the rights of citizens.

The vagueness of the concept enables the authorities to define anything whatsoever as “extremism.” In their effort to curry favor with the powers that be, Center “E”, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the FSB more and more often persecute the political opposition and social movement activists. Any criticism of the actions of the authorities, exposure of bureaucratic corruption, resistance to police abuse, and even the use of Maxim Gorky’s line “Rights Aren’t Given, They’re Taken” as a protest slogan (as in the case of the Novorossiysk Human Rights Center) can now be easily interpreted by the courts as “extremism” and incitement of social hatred.

Because the mission of Center “E” and the content of “anti-extremist” legislation are ambiguous, the bureaucratic ruling elite finds it quite convenient to use charges of “extremism” in order to carry out reprisals against dissidents as well as citizens who are merely dissatisfied or critically minded. Accustomed to such investigative methods as beating suspects and planting narcotics on them in order to get them to cooperate or to have a pretext for sending them to prison, the former UBOP officers who now staff Center “E” have begun to routinely haul social activists in for interrogations. Center “E” has thus turned into a political police that serves the high bureaucracy.

The events in Pikalyovo this past spring made it clear that protest is the only means for ordinary people not endowed with political power to defend their rights. However, such attempts to defend our collective social rights are more and more often branded as “extremism.” It is obvious that the consequence of this trend will be the further growth of corruption, the deterioration of living conditions for the rank and file, and the continued abuse by bureaucrats and high officials of the powers entrusted to them.

What Do We Want?

* We call for the closure and disbanding of Center “E”: it is a corrupt, socially dangerous organization that violates civil rights and threatens the health, interests, and personal safety of the people of Russia.
* We want the notion of “extremism” removed from Russian Federation legislation. From a legal point of view, the concept is meaningless. Moreover, it gives the authorities wide scope to persecute all forms of dissidence and protest. This in turn leads to the abuse of powers and enables the corrupt union of political power and business to shut the mouths of everyone who is unhappy with their policies and actions. We demand that Russian Federation Law No. 114 (“On the Prevention of Extremist Activity”) be abolished. Down with the political police!
* We demand that all “extremist” investigations against social and political activists be closed. The persecution of the members of social movements must cease. We say “No!” to the authorities’ repression of the people of our country.
* We demand that the authorities honor our rights to free speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and freedom to criticize. We demand that our social rights and guarantees be honored. We call on you to exercise your rights without asking for permission, via direct action.

What Should We Do?

If you agree with our manifesto and you’re ready to fight for your rights, join us! You can support our campaign by participating in actions against Center “E” in your region. You can also organize your own actions in support of the Russia-wide campaign. These can take the form of demos, pickets, press conferences, exhibitions, leafleting, stickering, graffiti, and (of course) direct actions.

Only powerful protests and solidarity can yield positive results. If the bureaucracy understands that Center “E” and “anti-extremist” legislation provokes protests, discredits the authorities, and destabilizes the situation, it will be forced to retreat. Join forces, develop ties of solidarity with your neighbors, and help each other. We’ll oppose the people’s horizontal to the parasitic “power vertical” of the bureaucrats and oligarchs. Don’t be afraid to defend your rights and interests. Don’t be afraid to speak truth to power openly and loudly. Don’t be afraid to fight for yourselves, for neighbors and strangers. Down with Center “E”! Down with repression! The people united can never be defeated!

Autonomous Action Movement