In Custodia Legis
Official blog from the Law Library of Congress
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Smoking Parents Will Be Prosecuted (Jun. 05, 2013) by Peter Roudik
On May 30, 2013, the Saeima (
Topic: Health and safety; Tobacco and smoking
Jurisdiction: Latvia
System of Public Financial Disclosures Implemented (Apr. 26, 2013) by Peter Roudik
In May 2013, Georgian senior government officials working in all branches of government will submit their public financial disclosure reports and asset declarations to the country's ...
Topic: Government ethics
Jurisdiction: Georgia
Expansion of Right of Legislative Initiation Considered (Feb. 13, 2013) by Peter Roudik
On January 14, 2013, the legislative assembly of the
Topic: Legislative power
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation
Employee Termination of Labor Contracts Prohibited (Feb. 07, 2013) by Peter Roudik
On December 7, 2012, President Lukashenko of
Topic: Labor
Jurisdiction: Belarus
Supreme Court Ruling on Unrestricted Access of Journalists to Trials (Jan. 08, 2013) by Peter Roudik
On December 13, 2012, the Supreme Court of the
Topic: Freedom of the press
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation
New Procedure to Form the Parliament's Upper Chamber (Jan. 04, 2013) by Peter Roudik
On January 1, 2013, the new Law on the Procedure to Form the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly (the country's legislature) entered into ...
Topic: Elections
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation
New Rules for Child Adoption Proposed (Dec. 31, 2012) by Peter Roudik
On November 1, 2012, the Parliament of Moldova passed at the first reading amendments to the legislation governing adoption of children. (Tatiana Gurzu,
Topic: Adoption On September 18, 2012, the Assembly of Albania (the parliament) approved constitutional amendments that provide for automatic lifting of parliamentary immunity from criminal prosecution for legislators, ... Topic: Constitutional law Federal Law No. 185 on Amendments to Federal Laws on the Status of Foreigners and on Education entered into force on December 1, 2012. (ROSSIISKAIA ... Topic: Labor On July 12, 2012, the Moldovan Parliament adopted legislation banning the use of communist symbols. The law came into effect on October 1, 2012. ( Topic: Government employees On August 23, 2012, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (police) of the Topic: Criminal law and procedure On August 23, 2012, the Ukrainian Commission on Financial Markets Regulation approved draft legislation banning financial pyramids in Topic: Criminal law and procedure On June 27, 2012, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation registered new Rules of Initial Medical Assistance issued by the Health Care and Social ... Topic: Health and safety On July 28, 2012, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation signed into law amendments to the country's Criminal Code, recently passed by the legislature, which ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On August 8, 2012, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovich, signed into law the Principles of State Language Policy Act adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament on ... Topic: Languages Kyrgyzstan will soon become another former Soviet republic in which courts with jurors will be introduced, based on an amendment to the Law on Jurors in ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On May 16, 2012, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia issued a statement addressing recent police abuse and the use of excessive power ... Topic: Police On June 15, 2012, a guilty verdict was pronounced by jurors in a case of premeditated murder tried in Tbilisi City Court. (Davit Rusishvili to ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On May 24, 2012, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted a law amending several previously passed laws regulating consumption of tobacco products (Text of ... Topic: Tobacco and smoking On April 16, 2012, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued its decision in the case Janowiec and Others v. Russia, stating that while there ... Topic: War crimes On March 6, 2012, the Parliament of Moldova amended the country's Criminal Code and introduced chemical castration as a mandatory punishment for violent sexual crimes committed ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure In October 2011, according to an initiative of the ruling coalition, the Parliament of Moldova amended its own Rules of Internal Procedure (Reglament) and established that ... Topic: Legislative power On February 24, 2012, President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus issued two decrees amending the system of official publication of legal acts in the country. According to ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On February 8, 2012, the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg, Russia's second largest city and one of the constituent components of the Russian Federation, approved on ... Topic: Human rights On November 21, 2011, the Kyrgyz President signed into law the amended version of the country's Law on Preventing and Countering Human Trafficking. (Law on ... Topic: Trafficking in persons On October 19, 2011, the State Duma of the Russian Federation approved, in the first reading, amendments to the Russian Criminal Code that will establish criminal ... Topic: Transportation On November 17, 2011, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine passed a new law on the election of its members that eliminates the present proportional electoral ... Topic: Elections Topic: Languages On December 21, 2011, the governmental portal dedicated to official publication of laws and other legal acts issued in the Republic of Belarus published Law No. ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On December 9, 2011, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the national legislature) passed a law amending its own rules of internal procedure. As soon as the ... Topic: Legislative power On October 20, 2011, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine interpreted constitutional provisions on due process and rules of evidence. This ruling was issued in response to ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure As of July 1, 2012, jury trials will commence throughout Georgia, making it the first nation in the South Caucasus to implement a jury trial system ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On October 11, 2011, a district court in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv sentenced former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Timoshenko who had been ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On October 13, 2011, President Nursultan Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan signed into law a series of amendments and supplements to a number of Kazakhstan's legal acts, addressing ... Topic: Religion On August 26, 2011, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted a proposal of the Ministry of Finance to amend the Federal Law on Government of ... Topic: Government organization On September 5, 2011, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) started deliberations on government-proposed amendments to the Russian Code ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On July 29, 2011, President Dmitri Medvedev of the Russian Federation signed a decree ordering the creation of an interagency governmental commission on counteracting extremist activities ... Topic: National security On July 28, 2011, the Supreme Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation (the country's highest judicial authority for commercial disputes) ruled that no difference in ... Topic: Taxation Russia continues to expand its ties with the secessionist Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are promoted as vacation destinations for Russian summer travelers. ... Topic: Border security On June 17, 2011, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that the red flag cannot have the same official status as a state symbol as the ... Topic: Constitutional law On June 8, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed the Law on Ratification of the Protocol to the Russian Federation - United States of ... Topic: Weapons It was recently reported that the Parliament of Kazakhstan has started to consider a new bill on state property that will consolidate current Kazakh legislation on ... Topic: Property It was reported on May 10, 2011, that a bill aimed at increasing punishments for sexual crimes committed against children has been drafted by the administration ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On April 21, 2011, before the beginning of the plenary session, all 120 members of the Kyrgyz Parliament (Zhogorku Kinesh) conducted a sacrificial killing of seven ... Topic: Legislative power It has been reported recently that Tajik police authorities have initiated criminal cases against individuals whose minor children are studying in religious, Islamic schools in foreign ... Topic: Religion On February 22, 2011, Behgjet Pacolli was elected the President of Kosovo by the legislature of that Balkan country, but the election was recently declared unconstitutional ... Topic: Elections In January and February 2011, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted a number of amendments to the country's Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On February 9, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree under which federal constitutional laws and federal laws that address major issues of ... Topic: Legislative power On February 7, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed the new Federal Law on Police. The Law, which was proposed by the President last ... Topic: Police On January 31, 2011, the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan recognized as unconstitutional the amendment to the country's Constitution under which the term of ... Topic: Constitutional law On January 28, 2011, Russian media outlets reported that on January 11, 2011, the government had issued a resolution approving a two-year program of investing in ... Topic: National security On December 29, 2010, the Mazhilis (lower house of the legislature) of Kazakhstan voted to support the initiative of various public groups, which were recently registered ... Topic: Constitutional law On January 3, 2011, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev issued a Decree on Optimization of the Number of Federal Civil Employees and Employees of Federal Government Institutions. ... Topic: Government employees On January 3, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed into law the Protection of Children from Negative and Harmful Information Act, which was passed ... Topic: Children On December 6, 2010, the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of the Russian Federation submitted its version of the Biomedical Cell Technologies Act to ... Topic: Health and safety The Thirteenth International Constitutional Justice Forum was held in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on November 18-20, 2010. More than 90 justices, clerks of constitutional courts, and scholars ... Topic: Courts As reported by the Newsru.com Information Agency, on October 29, 2010, the Parliament of Georgia almost unanimously adopted the "Liberty Charter" introduced by pro-government parliamentary factions. ... Topic: National security On October 7, 2010, the State Duma (the lower house of the legislature) of the Russian Federation considered and approved on the first reading a bill ... Topic: Courts On October 4, 2010, the coalition of ruling party factions in the Ukrainian Parliament was dissolved, and a unified parliamentary majority was formed. This move reflected ... Topic: Constitutional law After the constitutionally required month of public discussions regarding the change of the nation's Constitution following the approval of the draft by the country's Constitutional Commission ... Topic: Constitutional law On September 16, 2010, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine issued a decree aimed at preventing legal violations during the current election campaign, which started nationwide on ... Topic: Elections On July 6, 2010, the Constitutional Court of Moldova approved the constitutionality of the parliamentary decision to conduct a nation-wide referendum in order to pass amendments ... Topic: Constitutional law On May 18, 2010, in a speech at the annual meeting of the Council of Judges, Russia's highest professional body for the country's judges, the Chief ... Topic: Courts The Federal Law of the Russian Federation on Information Related to the Activities of the Federal Judiciary (Information on Judiciary Law) will enter into force on ... Topic: Courts On June 2, 2010, President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) the Bill on Basic Principles of Foreign and Domestic Policy ( ... Topic: National security On May 5, 2010, the parliament of South Ossetia, a disputed region within Georgia that declared its independence from Georgia in 1990, ratified the Treaty on ... Topic: Military On May 7, 2010, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (lower house of the legislature) finalized amendments to the Federal Law on the Legal Status ... Topic: Immigration On February 26, 2010, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation approved on a first reading and accepted for further consideration amendments to the nation's ... Topic: Immigration On December 31, 2009, the Government of the Russian Federation issued two regulations which extend the list of narcotic and psychotropic substances and establish a new ... Topic: Narcotics and drug abuse On January 1, 2010, a death penalty moratorium, which was introduced in Russia in 1999, was scheduled to expire because of the establishment of courts with ... Topic: Capital punishment On October 9, 2009, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine announced its decision to recognize selected provisions of articles 49 and 51 of the Law on Mandatory ... Topic: Pensions and retirement On October 14, 2009, a local court in the city of Moscow refused to rule in favor of Joseph Stalin's grandson, who sued an independent Russian ... Topic: Freedom of the press On October 2, 2009, the Minister of Health Care and Social Services of the Russian Federation announced a government decision to extend the ban on human ... Topic: Health and safety On September 30, 2009, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) included in its agenda a bill on amendments to ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On September 8, 2009, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation confirmed as legal the existing practice whereby an individual may only submit to police authorities ... Topic: Administrative law On September 30, 2009, the Parliament of Lithuania adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that introduce criminal responsibility for denial or justification of crimes against ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure According to news reports, the legislative agenda of the Federation Council (upper chamber) will include a bill on privileges for those labor migrants who have a ... Topic: Immigration On July 11, 2009, the Parliament of the Republic of Georgia adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Mass Gatherings and Demonstrations, placing restrictions on the ... Topic: Human rights According to amendments to the nation's Mass Media law signed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan on July 11, 2009, all Internet resources are now recognized ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On August 14, 2009, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation updated the federal list of prohibited extremist materials to include all flags with an ... Topic: National security On July 8, 2009, following a meeting between the leadership of the Russian State Duma (lower house of the national legislature) and Patriarch Kirill, the Head ... Topic: Religion On June 25, 2009, the Government of Lithuania submitted to the Parliament its draft Law on Compensation to the Jewish Community for Non-Return of Property Confiscated ... Topic: Property On June 23, 2009, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine signed a law that prohibits gambling in the country. On June 11, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) had ... Topic: Gambling A new Law on Religious Organizations and related amendments to Azerbaijan's Criminal Code and Code of Administrative Violations entered into force on May 31, 2009, after ... Topic: Religion It was reported that on June14, 2009, the heads of state of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, former Soviet republics that had formed ... Topic: Military The Legislative Assembly of Chelyabinsk (an industrial region in the Ural Mountains that is one of the Russian constituent components) is discussing the First Employment Act, ... Topic: Labor On May 8, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev proposed an amendment to the Federal Constitutional Law on the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, to change ... Topic: Courts On May 13, 2009, the Mayor of the City of Vilnius, which is the capital of Lithuania, issued a decree that introduces hefty fines for those ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On May 12, 2009, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Alexander Zviagintsev, stated in an interview in the Russian official government daily newspaper, Rossiiskaia ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On April 23, 2009, a federal district court in the southern Russian province of Dagestan issued an unprecedented ruling, ordering a journalist of a local newspaper ... Topic: Civil liability On April 8, 2009, amendments to the Federal Law on Political Parties were passed in Russia. Proposed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, they are aimed, according ... Topic: Politics and government On April 23, 2009, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed into law a series of amendments to federal laws that will affect the activities of political parties, ... Topic: Government organization On April 13, 2009, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a regulation approving new rules for providing government subsidies to air carriers. After this regulation enters ... Topic: Transportation On March 26, 2009, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rachmon, signed into law a recently adopted bill on freedom of conscience and religious organizations. Preserving the ... Topic: Religion On March 10, 2009, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to article 124 of the country's Criminal Code, which establishes the punishment ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On March 3, 2009, a bill on amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure was introduced in the State Duma (legislature) of ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure In an interview given to the Russian government-owned daily newspaper ROSSIISKAIA GAZETA on March 10, 2009, the Minister of Internal Affairs (police) of the Russian Federation ... Topic: Police On February 24, 2009, the Vice-Chairman of the Federation Council (the upper chamber of the Russian legislature), while in Poland attending events commemorating the anniversary of ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On February 24, 2009, the Government of Ukraine passed a regulation to establish new amounts for car registration and state car inspection fees. The fees will ... Topic: Transportation On February 10, 2009, the Milli Majlis (legislature) of Azerbaijan passed the Law on Countering Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. The Law was drafted under the ... Topic: Money laundering On January 21, 2009, the government-published daily newspaper ROSSIISKAIA GAZETA published the official text of recently adopted amendments to the Russian Constitution. These amendments provide for ... Topic: Constitutional law On January 15, 2009, the Ukrainian legislature, the Verkhovna Rada, adopted the Law on Special Temporary Investigative Commissions, which simplifies the procedure for the legislative body ... Topic: Legislative power On December 24, 2008, the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan ruled that amendments to the nation's Constitution passed by the legislature on December 19, 2008, are constitutional ... Topic: Constitutional law On January 5, 2009, the Government of Georgia launched the publication of the nation's Constitution and other legislative acts in the Azerbaijani language. Ethnic Azerbaijanis are ... Topic: Languages On December 16, 2008, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus issued a decree prohibiting organized travel of groups of Belarusian children to the United States and member ... Topic: Children On November 24, 2008, Ivan Gasparovic, the President of the Slovak Republic, signed a new Law on Organizing Public Sports and Tourism Events. The Law is ... Topic: Sports On December 3, 2008, the Russian Minister of Science and Education signed a government order on new university admission procedures, which will be applicable as of ... Topic: Education On December 2, 2008, the Armenian Parliament approved amendments to the Law on Legal Acts that obligate the government to draft, and the legislature to pass, ... Topic: Languages On December 2, 2008, the Congress of Russian Trial Judges held its session in Moscow. This is the highest authority in the judicial professional community, and ... Topic: Judges On November 21, 2008, the Parliament of the Republic of Georgia adopted the Law on Amnesty. An amnesty was proposed by the government as one of ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On November 12, 2008, the State Duma (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Federal Law on Military Duty and Military Service, which establish stricter ... Topic: Military On November 14, 2008, the State Duma (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that prescribe heavier punishments for driving while intoxicated or ... Topic: Driving while intoxicated On October 15, 2008, the Federal Assembly (legislature) of Russia adopted amendments to the nation's Federal Law on Libraries, which designates the newly established Presidential Library ... Topic: Libraries On October 15, 2008, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its ruling in Georgia v. Russian Federation, which was brought to the Court on August ... Topic: International law On September 26, 2008, the Parliament of Moldova adopted amendments to the nation's Criminal Code that make begging and other related activities a felony. Under the ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On September 25, 2008, a new Constitution was adopted in Turkmenistan. This new basic law of the Central Asian country stipulates that the highest existing representative ... Topic: Constitutional law On September 22, 2008, the upper chamber of the Russian legislature, the Federation Council, adopted amendments to the Russian Federal Law on Citizenship, aimed at the ... Topic: Nationality and citizenship On September 18, 2008, the Security and Defense Committee of the Parliament of Azerbaijan unanimously approved amendments to the Law on Participation in Peacekeeping Operations in ... Topic: Military On September 16, 2008, the President of Georgia delivered his "State of the Nation" address to the Parliament and proposed a series of reforms aimed at ... Topic: Democratization and democracy On August 20, 2008, the office of the President of Turkmenistan announced that amendments to the nation's Law on Foreign Investment have entered into force. According ... Topic: Foreign investment On August 25, 2008, the State Duma of the Russian Federation (the lower house of the legislature) adopted a law that provides for the creation of ... Topic: Constitutional law On August 25, 2008, the Interior Minister of Bulgaria, which has recently been admitted into the European Union, announced a number of police reforms aimed at ... Topic: Police On July 28, 2008, the President of Belarus signed the Law on Population Registry. The Law provides for the creation of ... Topic: Administrative law On August 20, 2008, the lower chamber of the Belarus legislature approved the Credit History Law, which obligates all banks and credit institutions operating in Belarus ... Topic: Banks and financial institutions On June 17, 2008, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov submitted to the Parliament a set of bills that would amend the existing election system and initiate political ... Topic: Elections On June 17, 2008, the Lithuanian Parliament adopted amendments to several domestic laws that regulate the implementation of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, to ... Topic: Constitutional law On June 3, 2008, amendments to the Electoral Code of Azerbaijan were passed by the nation's legislature. The amendments, which were proposed by the Azerbaijani presidential ... Topic: Elections On June 12, 2008, the Kyrgyz Law on Peaceful Public Gatherings was amended with a provision that defines the procedure for applying to local authorities for ... Topic: Constitutional law On June 10, 2008, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev signed into law the bill on public control for the implementation of human rights in penal institutions and ... Topic: Human rights On May 9, 2008, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Law on Personal Identification Numbers, under which personal identification numbers (PINs) will be introduced in Croatia for ... Topic: Identification On May 18, 2008, the Supreme Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation, the highest judicial body in the country to resolve commercial disputes, announced its ... Topic: Civil procedure On May 15, 2008, the Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic invalidated the package of reform legislation initiated by the government that had provided for the ... Topic: Labor On April 21, 2008, the President of Uzbekistan promulgated the Law on Mandatory Civil Liability Insurance of Vehicle Owners, making Uzbekistan the first post-Soviet country where ... Topic: Insurance On May 12, 2008, the Supreme Court of Estonia decided that the company that runs public transportation in the capital city of Tallinn and inspects whether ... Topic: Transportation On April 11, 2008, the Parliament of Bulgaria revised the Law on Defense and Armed Forces of Bulgaria. The amendment repeals a provision that stated that ... Topic: Military On April 9, 2008, the Parliament of Kosovo unanimously adopted the Constitution, which was signed by Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. The ... Topic: Constitutional law On March 19, 2008, the Russian Federation's Federal Agency on Telecommunications Supervision (analogous to the FCC in the United States) issued a regulation that restricts the ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On April 3, 2008, the plenary session of the Russian Federation Supreme Court reviewed the lower courts' practice in resolving cases related to draft dodging and ... Topic: Military On April 16, 2008, the Parliament of Belarus passed amendments to the Law on State Registration of Real Estate. The amendments deal with the transfer of ... Topic: Property On April 18, 2008, the Constitutional Court of Ukraine ruled that the nation's Constitution can be amended following the results of a national referendum. This ruling ... Topic: Constitutional law On April 10, 2008, the Parliament of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted two laws on police reform, which regulate the independence and supervision of ... Topic: Police On February 26, 2008, the Federal Security Service (knows as the FSB, successor to the former Soviet KGB) issued permits to two major Russian cellular telephone ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On February 26, 2008, the Parliament of Estonia approved amendments to the nation's Alcohol Act that introduce time restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. According ... Topic: Commerce and industry On February 21, 2008, the legislature of Kazakhstan amended the nation's Code of Criminal Procedure and the Law on the Prosecutor's Office in regard to the ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On March 4, 2008, the Russian Federation Information and Telecommunications Ministry published a regulation that obligates all telecommunications companies and Internet providers to guarantee to the ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On February 29, 2008, the Parliament of Moldova adopted a new Law on Assembly, drafted in accordance with the MoldovaEuropean Union Action Plan adopted by the ... Topic: Human rights On March 4, 2008, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine adopted the Law on the Land Market. The Law determines legal and economic principles for the ... Topic: Property On February 1, 2008, an amended version of the Federal Law on Execution of Judgments of the Russian Federation entered into force. The newly passed amendments ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On January 31, 2008, the Government of Uzbekistan conducted a Cabinet meeting dedicated to the problem of human trafficking. Although the trafficking of women for sex ... Topic: Trafficking in persons On January 23, 2008, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Weapons that provide for issuance of service weapons to the members ... Topic: Legislative power On February 1, 2008, a new annual cycle for the issuance of migrant quotas started in Russia. According to a government regulation, two million guest workers ... Topic: Immigration On January 21, 2008, President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov of Turkmenistan repealed bans on opera and circus performances established in 2001 by his predecessor, who had believed that ... Topic: Arts On January 10, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) of Ukraine amended the Law on Provincial and Local State Administrations, following the recommendation of the President of ... Topic: Government organization On January 9, 2008, the Government of the Russian Federation introduced to the legislature a bill on legacy centers for presidents whose term of office has ... Topic: Libraries On December 27, 2007, the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro approved a new law on presidential elections. The law provides for direct popular elections of ... Topic: Elections On January 10, 2007, the Government of the Russian Federation adopted the Resolution on Joining the Framework Convention of the World Health Organization on the Fight ... Topic: Health and safety On January 1, 2008, the Judicial Code, which was passed by the Armenian legislature on April 28, 2007, entered into force. For the first time, a ... Topic: Courts On January 10, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) adopted a new version of the Law on Government, agreed upon by all the political parties that ... Topic: Government organization The members of the Dzhogorku Kenesh, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, will be forbidden to use cell phones during legislative sessions under an amendment to the rules ... Topic: Legislative power On December 18, 2007, the State Duma (legislature) of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to the Federal Anti-Money Laundering Law that provide for the creation of ... Topic: Money laundering On December 18, 2007, the Parliament of Lithuania adopted amendments to the nation's Law on Electronic Communications, which obligate the providers of regular and mobile telephone ... Topic: Communications and electronic information On December 10, 2007, President Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine introduced amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine that were supported by the legislature. The new provisions ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On December 10, 2007, newly adopted amendments to the Russian Consumer Protection Law entered into force. The Law includes provisions aimed at introducing the right of ... Topic: Consumer protection On October 21, 2007, a national referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan to adopt constitutional amendments designed, according to President Bakiev, to "resolve problems of tribalism, gender ... Topic: Elections On November 20, 2007, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a decree on further promotion of the state language, which is Ukrainian, in the areas predominantly populated ... Topic: Languages On October 26, 2007, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia adopted a decree proposed by the Riga City Hall on limiting prostitution. Latvia is not a ... Topic: Criminal law and procedure On November 20, 2007, as a part of the compromise between the opposition parties, the Parliament adopted amendments to Georgia's election laws, which will apply during ... Topic: Elections On October 29, 2007, the Russian Federation Health Care and Social Development Ministry issued an executive regulation that establishes a new procedure for providing abortion services. ... Topic: Abortion On October 11, 2007, the Federation Council (legislature) of Russia passed a law that introduced a two-tier higher education system. As of 2009, the existing five-year ... Topic: Education On October 4, 2007, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a ruling under which Russia is obligated to pay 200,000 (about US$285,000) to three ... Topic: Human rights On October 22, 2007, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka of Belarus signed a decree ordering implementation of measures aimed at the abolition of state benefits that had been ... Topic: Public welfare On October 15, 2007, the Verkhovna Rada (legislature) of Ukraine adopted amendments to the Ukrainian Law on Export, Import, and Return of Cultural Valuables, which regulates ... Topic: Cultural property On October 18, 2007, the Government of Estonia approved a set of measures aimed at preventing the financing of terrorist activities and submitted a legislative proposal ... Topic: Terrorism
Jurisdiction: MoldovaConstitutional Amendment on Parliamentary Immunity Passed (Dec. 31, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AlbaniaMandatory Russian Language Test for Labor Migrants (Dec. 31, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationBan on Use of Communist Symbols (Nov. 28, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationRewards for Assisting Police (Oct. 03, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationFinancial Pyramids Will Be Outlawed (Oct. 03, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkrainePhysicians Required to Make House Calls (Aug. 20, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationDefamation is Criminalized Again (Aug. 20, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationMinority Languages May Become Official in Parts of the Country (Aug. 13, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineImplementation of Jury Trials Postponed (Jul. 16, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Ombudsman Challenges the Law on Demonstrations (Jun. 26, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: ArmeniaJurors in Tbilisi Court Pronounce Guilty Verdicts (Jun. 21, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaNew Restrictions on Smoking Introduced (May. 31, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineKatyn Massacre Case Is Closed (May. 11, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: European Court of Human Rights / Russian FederationPedophiles to Be Punished with Chemical Castration (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MoldovaLegislators to Be Fined for Being AWOL (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MoldovaOfficial Online Publication of Legal Acts (Apr. 02, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusGay Advocacy Among Minors Can Be Prohibited (Feb. 24, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationAssistance to Victims of Human Trafficking (Feb. 06, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Attacks on Transportation to Be Criminalized (Jan. 26, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Rules for Legislative Elections (Jan. 17, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineConstitutional Amendment on Russian Language Proposed (Jan. 06, 2012) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LatviaBrowsing Foreign Websites a Misdemeanor (Dec. 30, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusElectronic Turnover of Laws in the Legislature (Dec. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineCourt Ruling on Evidence Makes Former President Immune from Prosecution (Dec. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineCourts with Jurors Established Nationwide (Nov. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaLong Prison Sentence for a Former Prime Minister (Oct. 19, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineNew Law on Religion Enacted (Oct. 17, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanMinistry of Finance Will Distribute Aid for Foreign Development (Sep. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationHunger Strikes Are Deemed Riots (Sep. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationGovernment Takes Measures Against Extremism (Aug. 16, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationForeign Donations to Russian NGOs Are Exempt from Taxation (Aug. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationCourt Verdicts on Border-Crossing Offenses Vary Depending on Nationality of the Accused (Jul. 11, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaConstitutional Court Bans Official Display of Red Flags (Jul. 01, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineTreaty on Utilization of Plutonium Ratified (Jun. 27, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian Federation / United StatesNationalization Law Considered (Jun. 21, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanHarsher Punishment for Crimes Against Children (Jun. 14, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationAnimal Sacrifice for Improvement of Legislative Work (May. 03, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Parents of Students Studying Abroad Prosecuted (Apr. 22, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: TajikistanPresidential Elections Declared Invalid (Mar. 30, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KosovoAmendments to Criminal Legislation (Feb. 18, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkrainePublic Discussions on Bills Will Be Initiated (Feb. 15, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Law on Police (Feb. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationConstitutional Amendment and Early Presidential Elections (Feb. 09, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanGovernment Invests in Enhanced Surveillance (Feb. 03, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationParliament Supports Extension of President's Term of Office (Jan. 06, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanReduction in Force for Civil Servants (Jan. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationProtection of Children from Harmful Information (Jan. 04, 2011) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationLegislative Ban on Human Cloning Proposed (Dec. 13, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationChief Justice Insists on Limited Application of International Court Rulings (Dec. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationBan on Soviet Symbols Proposed (Dec. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaReform of the Constitutional Court Proposed (Oct. 14, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationThe 1996 Constitution Is Reinstated (Oct. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineConstitutional Amendments Discussed in Parliament (Sep. 23, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaPresident's Name and Portrait Cannot Be Used in Election (Sep. 22, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineReferendum on Constitutional Amendments (Jul. 13, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MoldovaChief Justice Insists on Obligatory Role of Judicial Precedents (Jun. 29, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNames of All Persons Sentenced by Courts Will Be Published (Jun. 21, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Law on Foreign and Domestic Policy (Jun. 10, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineSeparatist Regions of Georgia Conclude Military Agreements with Russia (Jun. 10, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Georgia / Russian FederationNew Requirements for Labor Migrants (Jun. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationEasier Procedures for Migrant Workers (Mar. 08, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Restrictions For Controlled Substances (Jan. 27, 2010) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationDeath Penalty Ruled Unconstitutional (Dec. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationPensions for Emigrants (Nov. 09, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineCourt Okays Calling Stalin a Murderer (Oct. 30, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationBan on Human Cloning Extended for Five More Years (Oct. 16, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationParliament Discusses Using Drugs to Lower Sex Drive of Pedophiles (Oct. 09, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationPassports Will Be Issued In-Person Only (Oct. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationDenial of Soviet Occupation Criminalized (Oct. 05, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LithuaniaImmigration Privileges for Those Who Know Russian (Sep. 17, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Rules for Street Rallies (Aug. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaInternet Recognized as Mass Media (Aug. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanFlags with Depiction of Cross Outlawed (Aug. 24, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationLegislative Agenda Subject to Church Influence (Jul. 27, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationReturn of Jewish Property Confiscated by the Soviets (Jul. 08, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LithuaniaGambling Banned Nationwide (Jun. 30, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineNew Law on Religious Organizations (Jun. 16, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AzerbaijanProposed New Military Component of a Political Union (Jun. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Former USSREmployment Quotas Proposed for the Young (Jun. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationTighter Control of Court System Proposed (May. 22, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationFines for Littering (May. 18, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LithuaniaPirates Will Be Prosecuted Under Russian Laws (May. 18, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationCourt Rules Against Book Reviewers (May. 11, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationLosing Political Parties to Be Represented in Parliament (May. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Procedures for Appointment of Governors (May. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationGovernment Guarantees for Air Travelers (Apr. 21, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Law on Religious Organizations (Apr. 03, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: TajikistanNo Criminal Liability for Medical Errors (Apr. 02, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationCriminal Liability for Selling Alcohol to Minors (Apr. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationGroups of Police Volunteers May Be Established (Apr. 01, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationCriminal Law and the Soviet Role in WWII (Mar. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew and Varied Fees for Car Owners (Mar. 06, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineLaw to Counter Terrorism Financing (Mar. 04, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AzerbaijanConstitutional Amendments Enter into Force (Feb. 04, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationSimplified Impeachment Procedures (Feb. 03, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineCourt Removes Limits on Number of Presidential Terms (Jan. 26, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AzerbaijanLaws Translated into Minority Languages (Jan. 23, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaChildren Banned from Travel Abroad (Jan. 23, 2009) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusNew Public Entertainment Rules (Dec. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Slovak RepublicNew Rules for University Admission (Dec. 19, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationLaws Will Be Passed in Foreign Languages (Dec. 15, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: ArmeniaNew Requirements for Judicial Appointments (Dec. 15, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationAmnesty Law (Dec. 01, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaMore Control over Military Conscription (Nov. 25, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationStricter Punishment for Drunk Driving (Nov. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationLimited Digitization Permitted for Three Libraries (Oct. 24, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationRuling on Georgia v. Russian Federation (Oct. 20, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: International Court of JusticePrison Term for Begging (Oct. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MoldovaNew Constitution (Oct. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: TurkmenistanCitizenship Acquisition to Be Simplified (Sep. 30, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationPeacekeeping Contingent in Afghanistan Will Be Doubled (Sep. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AzerbaijanFurther Democratizaton of Political Process (Sep. 25, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaNew Rules for International Exhibitions (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: TurkmenistanSelf-Governance Granted to Caucasus Republics (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Conditions for Police Work (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BulgariaNational Population Database (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusIndividual Credit History Will Be Regulated by Law (Aug. 29, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusElection Law Reform Proposed (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BulgariaBan on Nazi and Soviet Symbols (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LithuaniaElection Law Changed (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: AzerbaijanLaw on Public Demonstrations Approved (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Public Control over Penitentiaries Introduced (Jul. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationPersonal Identification Numbers Issued (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: CroatiaSupreme Court Lifts Confiscation Clause (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Rules for Sick Leave Benefits (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Czech RepublicCar Insurance Made Obligatory (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UzbekistanRestrictions on Transit Fine Imposition (Jun. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: EstoniaForeign Military Operations Allowed (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BulgariaConstitution Signed (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KosovoBan on Wi-Fi Connections in Private Residences (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationSupreme Court Rules to Acquit Military Deserters (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Rules for Property Registration (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusNew Procedure to Amend Constitution (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkrainePolice Reform Adopted (May. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Bosnia-HerzegovinaImport of Blackberry Phones Permitted (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationSale of Alcohol at Night Prohibited (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: EstoniaJudicial Authorization of Arrests Required (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: KazakhstanWiretapping Ordered for All Telephone Conversations (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationNew Law on Freedom of Assembly (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MoldovaNew Law on Land Market (Apr. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineBailiffs Now Have Housebreaking Right (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationGovernment Combats Trafficking (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UzbekistanWeapons for Members of Parliament (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Quotas for Guest Workers (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationVisits to Opera and Circus Are Allowed Again (Mar. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: TurkmenistanNew Terms of Office for Governors (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineNational Version of Presidential Libraries (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationPresidential Elections Act Approved (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: MontenegroTotal Ban on Tobacco Advertisement (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationJudicial Code Enters into Force (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: ArmeniaNew Law on Government (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineCell Phone Ban in Parliament (Feb. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)Federal Passport Control System Created (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationTelecom Providers Required to Monitor All Customers (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LithuaniaWrong Interpretation of History Is a Crime (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineNew Consumer Protection Law (Jan. 02, 2008) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationConstitutional Amendments Passed on Election System (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)New Measures to Promote the Native Language (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineRestrictions on Sexual Services (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: LatviaNew Election Legislation (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: GeorgiaNew Abortion Restrictions (Dec. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationHigher Education Reform (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationCompensation for Victims of Federal Troops in Chechnya (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Russian FederationElimination of State Assistance (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: BelarusNew Rules for Transfer of Cultural Valuables (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: UkraineNew Measures to Stop Money Laundering (Nov. 02, 2007) by Peter Roudik
Jurisdiction: Estonia
