Martial law in Russia

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Decree of the President of the Russian Federation regarding "general martial law", March 2023

Martial law in Russia (

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine in the annexed regions of Ukraine, which by then were unilaterally declared by the whole state apparatus to be new federal subjects of Russia.[1]

History

Russian law distinguished between martial law and the state of protection, enhanced or emergency. In the legal literature of the

public order
.

In the Russian Empire, martial law was declared in wartime in the border areas of the state adjacent to the theater of war. In peacetime, provinces or cities that were outraged by the government’s order or in which special strict measures were deemed necessary to maintain order could be declared in the same position. Example: the Kingdom of Poland in 1905,[2] Sumy County (Kharkov Oblast).[3]

In the Soviet Union, martial law could be declared, in accordance with paragraph “t” of article 49 of the Constitution, only the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR as stated in the article “in the interests of the defense of the USSR or the maintenance of public order and state security”. In accordance with this, when declaring martial law, all the functions of state authorities on defense, ensuring public order and state security passed to the military command and control bodies — military councils and command of the USSR Armed Forces.

Martial law during the years of the

Supreme Soviet of the USSR
and was not canceled until the end of the war with:

Introduction and cancellation

Martial law in Russia or in certain localities is introduced by

Federation Council and the State Duma. The Federation Council within 48 hours decides whether to approve a presidential decree – and if the decree is not approved, it loses force. The basis for the introduction of martial law is considered aggression against Russia or its immediate threat. The law refers to aggression:[6]

  • Invasion of foreign troops or the attack of foreign troops on the Russian, wherever they are;
  • Bombardment by foreign troops or other use of weapons against Russia;
  • Sending by foreign states of aggressive armed groups to Russia;
  • Blockade of Russian ports or coasts by foreign troops;
  • Permission of a foreign state to use its territory to attack Russia.
  • The law considers the actions of a foreign state in violation of international law, which directly indicate preparation for aggression, to be a direct threat of aggression. As an example, the law cites the declaration of war.

The introduction of martial law also involves the mobilization and organization of territorial defense. After repelling aggression or eliminating its threat, martial law is canceled.

Permitted limitations

The law provides for two groups of restrictions that can be introduced in conditions of martial law (and, if necessary, before it). Elections of the President of the Russian Federation cannot be held during the period of martial law.

Restrictions in the zone of martial law

Restrictions:[7]

  • special operation of critical infrastructure and hazardous facilities;
  • Evacuation of important objects and people;
  • Strengthening the protection of public order, critical infrastructure and other important facilities;
  • Restriction of entry, exit and freedom of movement, search, restriction of choice of place of residence;
  • Curfew;
  • Military censorship in the field of communications;
  • Increased secrecy in state and local authorities;
  • Restriction of the sale of weapons, dangerous substances, drugs, drugs and alcohol, their temporary withdrawal from citizens;
  • Ban on rallies and strikes;
  • Prohibition of public, international or foreign organizations that undermine the country's security;
  • Forced labor for defense needs, to restore destroyed facilities and fight fires and epidemics;
  • Seizure of private property with subsequent compensation;
  • Internment of unreliable citizens and citizens of aggressor countries (applies only directly in case of aggression and in order to prevent riots).

General restrictions

General restrictions that may be imposed even where martial law does not apply:[8]

  • Restriction of economic activity, including property turnover;
  • Restriction of search and distribution of information;
  • Change of ownership of organizations;
  • Change in working hours. The abolition of the system of voluntary employment and the introduction of conscription labor obligation (mandatory for all citizens over 14 years old);

Regardless of the context of the circumstances, any information transmitted using means of communication and mass communication can be defined as dual-use information (the level of detail of the content is determined by the military censorship authorities). Such an act, usually not prosecuted in peacetime, but committed under the current regime of martial law, can be considered a reason for accusation of unintentional high treason (if this did not provoke serious consequences, then such an act is recognized as an attempt).

The

2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted the new Russian 2022 war censorship laws
. These laws establish administrative (Law No.31-FZ, Law No.62-FZ) and criminal (Law No.32-FZ, Law No.63-FZ) punishments for the dissemination of "unreliable information" about the Russian Armed Forces and other Russian state bodies and their operations, prohibit "discrediting" the Russian military and other Russian state bodies, and prohibit calls for sanctions against Russia.

Order management

With the introduction of martial law, elections and referendum are not held, and the powers of elected bodies of power, local authorities and officials are automatically extended.

The main powers to ensure martial law are concentrated in the hands of the Russian President. The

prosecutor's office in the conditions of martial law operate in the same form, the creation of emergency courts in Russia is prohibited.[9] If martial law is established on a part of the territory of Russia, there may be introduced a military department responsible for applying the restrictions.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ OTT, HALEY (19 October 2022). "Putin declares martial law in Ukraine regions illegally annexed". CBS Interactive Inc.
  2. ^ Газета «Начало» № 6, 19 (2 декабря) ноября 1905 год, Л. Троцкий, «Военное положение в Польше сброшено!»
  3. ^ Ответ на запрос Государственной думы о Щербаке 8 июня 1906 года (Столыпин)
  4. ^ Указ Президиума ВС СССР от 22.06.1941 об объявлении в отдельных местностях СССР военного положения.
  5. ^ a b c d e «Военное положение» в БСЭ.
  6. ^ ФКЗ «О военном положении» (2002), статья 3
  7. ^ ФКЗ «О военном положении» (2002), статья 7
  8. ^ ФКЗ «О военном положении» (2002), статья 8
  9. ^ ФКЗ «О военном положении» (2002), глава III
  10. ^ ФКЗ «О военном положении» (2002), статья 10