Violation of the Russians right to free and fair elections (article 21 of the UDHR)
Human rights are evidently postulated in the entire body of international human rights decree and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They form the heart of many national constitutions because they are renowned and endorsed by many countries. Human beings are entitled to a free and fair election (United for Human Rights, 01). However, the real situation in the world is far distant from the standards projected in the Declaration. Many countries still believe that the attainment of human rights is a remote goal that cannot be attained. One such country is Russia where article 21 of the UDHR has always been violated. Article 21 of the UDHR holds that citizens have the right participate in the governing of their country; Equivalent access to public services and the right to join in free and fair elections founded on universal suffrage (United for Human Rights, 01). The 2012 Russian general elections comprehensively depict how the Russian government has totally failed to observe and uphold the stipulations of article 21 of the UDHR (Hickey, 62).
It is so unfortunate that the Russia, being one of the largest countries, still fails to offer its citizens basic universal rights (White & Stephen, 162). There is massive public outcry in cities such as Moscow. The civilians are demonstrating against the results of the rigged elections that maliciously granted Vladimir Putin a win. This implied that the United Russia party under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin would continue to lead the country despite its failure to solve the many problems that are currently facing the Russian community. Additionally, corruption is high in the country due to the government’s failure to effectively monitor its officials, formulate, and implement relevant policies that can help the country curb corruption and massive embezzlement of public resources.
Violation of article 21 is becoming a matter of concern since the absence of free and fair elections implies that the Russians do not have the opportunity to bring changes in their country. Additionally, the police are excessively brutal on any persons found in engaging in anti-government protests. The freedom of the media is highly compromised (Hickey, 92). What is seen in the streets is never aired, as this would negatively portray the government. Demonstrations, counting of votes and other malicious acts are never seen on televisions. Any of such posts on the social media is taken as a criminal offense, and those found guilty of such offences are severely punished. Authentic Russians continue to face a hard life, and the countries interaction with other nations is continuously declining (White & Stephen, 190). The most affected are the citizens who have to face the tough prevalent conditions in the country. The government is going to the life-threatening end to keep the residents under control. The Russians are weary of bloodshed in their own country predominantly due to revolutions spurred by rigged elections.
International observers in the election estimated that the process of counting the votes was faulty in more than 33% of the polling stations (Llyods Bank, 01). Procedural irregularities have continued to cost the country. Many a times, people find themselves voting for Putin not because he is a performer but because they are sure that he either will ridge to win or are bribed to vote for him (Hahn & Igor, 106). Additionally, since he has the financial power, he pays people to attend his political rallies or woo people to attend the rallies by telling them that it is a “folk festival”.
Additionally, prior to the elections, there is stern candidate registration requirements aimed at barring opposition candidates from contesting in the elections. Illegal campaigning, impediment of observers and vote fraud have always been common in this country (Llyods Bank, 01). Leaflets and newspapers with messages forcing the citizens to vote for the Communist party are distributed regularly at polling stations. Voters are threatened that failure to vote for a particular country will result in violence thus voters have no choice, but to elect the party's candidates. This limits genuine competition in the elections.
The outcome of an election should be uncertain. However, this is not the scenario in Russia. Officials engage in massive mishandling of state resources to guarantee the success of Putin. Rather than being based on universal suffrage, many people are being sponsored by Putin to vote in numerous constituencies. Moreover, his share of the vote was exaggerated by up to 10%. Such violation of the Russians’ right to free and fair elections is sickening and a great disgrace to the contemporary society. Killings and disappearance of civilians is on the increase in this country probably due to the prevalent political instability (Hickey, 124). It is unrealistic for anyone to sit and watch as fellow human beings continue to undergo unwarranted suffering in Russia. The Russian crisis affects the economic, social, and political well-being of the world. Everyone must, therefore, take action to curb this situation and bail the Russians out of the crises that are currently facing them.
The Russians must commit themselves to scrutinize the various functions of the state. They should stage peaceful protests and other hurdles to request the right to express their determination through elections. The youths in this country should play a leading role in glimpsing the state. In extreme cases, the youths should mobilize resistance to reverse the results of deceitful presidential polls. Additionally, the Russians must strive to improve their countries economic situation. If this is done, many Russians will be economically empowered; therefore, it might not be easy for politicians to bribe voters and manipulate their decisions (Hickey, 102). They must also learn to decry taking bribes that are only contributing to the economic downturn of the country.
Russians must push for the implementation of laws that guide the entire campaign and voting process. Strict limits must be placed against expenditures in political campaigns. Additionally, the ministry of finance in this country must scrutinize all expenditures by politicians and political parties to ascertain their exact amount, use, and source (White & Stephen, 112). This will ensure that public resources are not malevolently used for the benefit of a few individuals at the expense of the majority. A strict procedure guiding the campaign process, voting and votes counting process should be endorsed, and the public comprehensively taught about it. With informed voters, it will be hard for politicians to manipulate the masses and ridge the elections. Citizens must also commit themselves to understand the rules guiding the entire voting exercise and oblige themselves to conform by the standards (Hickey, 193).
Russians should also develop and popularize organizations proclaiming noninterference. Such groups must ensure that the judiciary is free, fair and operates without political interference. With independent courts, the political injustices in Russia will be minimized. For instance, the courts should be in a position to hear and determine election petitions. The loosing parties should have the capacity to go to the court and obtain a fair hearing. Additionally, such courts will protect the voters and any candidate who ridges election will have to face the law. Courts must stop politicians from gerrymandering (a common practice in Russia), rigging of elections and voter intimidation (Hahn & Igor, 126). If the government fails to honor the court’s decisions, the courts should authorize the citizens to organize a peaceful process of overthrowing an illegitimate leadership, and replace it with one that will serve the best interests of the public.
Additionally, Russians should form groups such as the Bersih 2.0 formed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2007. This will raise the people’s political awareness. With alert citizens, politicians will not easily ridge elections for their own advantage. All Russians must be enthusiastic to join such a movement to ensure that they end the predominant election mismanagements.
Russia must enforce “The Fair Elections Act”. This will create a sovereign election commission that will make it tougher for people to break election laws. It will also help in banning impulsive transmission of election results. The commission should also come up with biometric voter registration kits that will be used in registering voters and bar voters from registering twice. Additionally, the commission should heavily invest in the electoral process to ensure that any malpractices are easily identified, and those involved are castigated.
Moreover, international organs such as the United Nations, European Convention of Human Rights, European Union, Red Cross, and Commissioner for Human Rights should increase their observers in Russia ((Hickey, 65). Additionally, other countries in such as Germany, France, Italy, and the U.S (G8 category) should provide moral and financial support to Russia and ensure that it holds free and fair elections. Such elections must conform to the international standards as stipulated in article 21 of the UDHR.
The contemporary society should not watch as an illegitimate government continues to subject innocent Russians to undue torture. It is the Russians right to participate in the governing of their country. They should be guaranteed their right to free and fair elections in a democratic country. If this right is compromised, they should organize demonstrations to force the government changes its cruel ways. Additionally, they should create national organizations that will proclaim the people’s right to free and fair election and fair treatment before the law. Youths must take an active role in changing the current conditions in Russia. Article 21 of the UDHR should be unrelenting by all nations regardless of their political, economic, and social conditions.
Works cited
Hahn, Jeffrey W., and Igor Logvinenko. "Generational Differences in Russian Attitudes towards Democracy and the Economy." Europe-asia Studies (2008): n. pag. Print.
Hickey, Michael C. Competing Voices from the Russian Revolution: Fighting Words. Santa Barbara, Calif: Greenwood, 2011. Print.
Llyods Bank. "Expat in Russia: election controversy is 'worrying' - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014.
Negating Pluralist Democracy: the European Court of Human Rights Forgets the Rights of the Electors. (pozitsiya Yevropeiskovo Suda Po Pravam Cheloveka V Voprose Ob Izbiratelnikh Pravakh Grazhdan V Kontekste Latviiskoi Praktiki: Kriticheskii Vzglyad). N.p., n.d.. Print.
United for Human Rights: Abuses & Violation, Democracy & Voting Freedom, UN Human Rights Declaration." Universal Declaration of Human Rights Campaign: What are Human Rights? Definition. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2014. Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.com/what-are-human-rights/violations-of-human-rights/democracy.html
White, Stephen, and Stephen White. Understanding Russian Politics. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print.
