The lower house of the Russian parliament is ready to consider changes to the law on protests based on President Dmitry Medvedev's proposals, the head of the State Duma committee in charge of public associations and religious organizations said on Monday.
Last week, Medvedev imposed a veto on amendments to a law that stipulated tougher sanctions for those violating public meeting regulations set by the government. The adoption of the amendments by the Russian parliament triggered an angry reaction from the Russian opposition which has claimed the new bill would further restrict the freedom of assembly in Russia.
The changes prohibited those already undergoing proceedings for disorderly conduct during public protests to organize new rallies. In a letter addressed to the chairmen of both houses of the Russian parliament, Medvedev said the adopted amendments ran against the constitution, which guarantees the freedom of assembly. He agreed, however, that the law on rallies should be improved and ordered further work on the bill.
RIA Novosti
