Special Coverage

Bizarre ways the world continues to fail its children

November 20 marks the Universal Children's Day. RAPSI has decided to celebrate the occasion with a look at a several unique trends in child protection legislation around the world. In some cases, we will explore the legal grey areas that have given rise to unexpected hotbeds of abuse. In others, we will look at instances where legislation and longstanding cultural tradition face off, leaving children’s rights precariously positioned.

11:46 20.11.2012

Religious organizations skeptical of increased government regulation

A bill to revise the procedures governing the work of religious organizations has been submitted to the State Duma. According to the bill, the clergy should be required to receive specialized educational certificates, and religious organizations should sign employment contracts with their personnel, who in turn should be able to form trade unions.

12:27 22.10.2012

'Farewell' to Russian jurisdiction

The flight of businesses to foreign jurisdictions presents a genuine threat to the Russian economy, national security and sovereignty, according to the participants of a recent State Duma meeting bringing together parliamentary leaders and law firm representatives.

09:02 14.10.2012

Russia's Social Patronage law: admirable ends, questionable means

Russia's State Duma, lower house of parliament, is currently considering a set of amendments that would allow the state to take it upon itself to ensure the welfare of children from families found to be in “socially precarious” positions.

11:02 05.10.2012

Treason and espionage: a closer look at Russia's draft laws

Russia’s lower house, State Duma, took the first formal steps to pushing through a series of amendments aimed at expanding the scope of the Criminal Code articles at the heart of Russia’s national security legislation, those on high treason, espionage, and the disclosure of state secrets.

12:03 27.09.2012

Top news

Russian courts allowed not to implement rulings of Europe's human rights court

Russia's Supreme Court proposed not to implement rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).

12:53 09.12.2025

Redomiciliation stalls: How sanctions are shaping new practices for Russian companies

The mechanism for redomiciliating foreign companies to Russian jurisdiction, in effect since 2018, has recently encountered serious obstacles. Taking into account the background of sanctions-related restrictions introduced in 2022 through 2025, it has become extremely difficult to achieve the goal. The situation gave rise to the phenomenon of dual domicile and led to a rise in the number of new litigations, both in Russia and abroad.

12:32 09.12.2025

Soldiers jailed for killing US journalist Russell Bentley

A military court in Donetsk sentenced three soldiers to up to 12 years in prison for torturing and killing Russell Bentley, a 63-year-old U.S. national who collaborated with Sputnik news agency.

14:05 08.12.2025