Comments

You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name

Your e-mail (optional)

Website (optional)

	My Original Nic Pic-a-Nic Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Foto

Submit your comments on this article

Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia may ban 'disrespectful' foreigners

2005-01-13

Russia's State Duma Wednesday approved legislation to deny visas to foreigners who show disrespect for the country. The new measure, if passed by the upper house of parliament, would also deny visas to foreigners who are sick or use illegal drugs, the Moscow Times reported. Political analysts said the bill fell short of democratic norms and that President Vladimir Putin might reject it in an attempt to display his democratic credentials in the face of criticism about a rollback of free speech and human rights, the news paper said. Duma deputies passed the amendment to the law On Exit From the Russian Federation and Entry Into the Russian Federation in the first of three readings by a vote of 353 to 44 with six abstentions. The amendment said foreigners could be denied entry if they commit actions of a clearly disrespectful nature toward the Russian Federation or the federal organs of the government of the Russian Federation.

Posted by:tipper

#10 As long as they still let people out, it is a major improvement over the USSR.

Posted by: jackal 2005-01-13 7:07:35 PM

#9 To give an example: A guy I know complained that he was denied entry to the US, even with a valid visa, for commenting that the guard checking his paperwork is himself probably involved in a smuggling operation. He said this to the border guard. Too bad this guy wasn't forced to reimburse the airline for having to haul his ass back to where he came from.

Posted by: Rafael 2005-01-13 6:15:34 PM

#8 From the BBC article: Rights groups fear it could be used to keep government critics out of Russia.

Good point. And that's probably what it will be used for in the future. However, denying entry to foreigners who show disrespect for the country seems like a reasonable idea. You wouldn't believe how many people crossing the border think they're God's gift to the world. The border is no place to act like a jackass.

Posted by: Rafael 2005-01-13 6:08:41 PM

#7 All you have to do is show disrespect to the border guard, and you're gone. How's this different than what the Russians want?

This article states that foreign nationals can be kept out for having harmed Russia's "generally accepted spiritual, cultural and social values".

The problem is, how does one do this, and when? The Russians don't say.

Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-01-13 5:55:29 PM

#6 I have no problem w/this. Wish we'd do the same. A U.S. visa is a priveledge for a foreigner, not a right.

Posted by: Jarhead 2005-01-13 3:46:35 PM

#5 It is their country and ultimately the Russsians make the rules. The US does not allow AIDS patients or those on the terrorist names list into our country.

But I think Russia will use the law to restrict medical cases, prosthelyzing religious groups and democratic reform organizations that can question Putin's power structure.

Posted by: ed 2005-01-13 3:37:20 PM

#4 Everything is in the interpretation. It could be anything from comprehensive border control legislation to prevent a flood of illegals (of several varieties), to just a feel-good "tough on crime" measure. Russians tend to be sticklers to *their interpretation* of the "letter of the law", so they label offenses with wide grey areas, like "hooliganism" and "disrespect".

Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-01-13 3:20:03 PM

#3 Why don't they just call the place the "Soviet Socialist Republic of Russia"?

I know I will catch major flak for this, but how about the US border guard who refuses entry to a person who already has a visa, for no reason other than the guard's whim. It happens quite often. All you have to do is show disrespect to the border guard, and you're gone. How's this different than what the Russians want?

Posted by: Rafael 2005-01-13 1:56:33 PM

#2 The New and Improved Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.

Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-01-13 11:11:34 AM

#1 Why don't they just call the place the "Soviet Socialist Republic of Russia"?

Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-01-13 11:07:25 AM

00:00