Repression in Russia in 2023.
OVD-Info overview
In contrast to its forerunner, 2023 didn’t grab headlines with massive protests or numerous arrests. However, it would be a mistake to interpret this as the cessation of dissent or a lack of other crackdowns. Instead, what we have witnessed is a continuation of the patterns from 2022: targeted criminal cases, more stringent laws, and the introduction of new repressive measures. This approach effectively keeps society on edge, fostering self-censorship and sparing the regime from the need for large-scale persecution.
Nevertheless, Russian civil society, both inside the country and beyond, remains resilient, displaying solidarity and a commitment to human rights.
See also Repressions in Russia in 2022.
Repression has a cumulative effect. While the number of arrests at street protests is decreasing, the number of politically motivated criminal cases is increasing.
Data on politically motivated criminal prosecutions in Russia
You can read the latest update of the OVD-Info report published by the Reforum project on improving the situation of freedom of assembly in Russia (in Russian only)
This report was first published in 2021.
In December 2023, at the request of the Reforum Project, we updated the information: we described the problems associated with the war in Ukraine, updated the data, added factual circumstances and new tools to change the situation. At the same time, the main points remained unchanged — they are still relevant.
Data
The OVD-Info team began collecting data in its first year of operation.
We believe that the data we collect and process will help us understand how civil rights violations and state violence in general work, so that as many experts, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students as possible can begin their research in this area today.
In June 2020, we will launch a newsletter for researchers and experts. In it, we will announce new reports, data and datasets.
If you have a data request or want to do a joint project with us email data@ovdinfo.org