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ALERT: Member of World Youth Movement for Democracy receiving threats
Russian Federation: Threats against human rights defender Mr. Konstantin Baranov
Human rights defender, Mr Konstantin Baranov, has been threatened on several occasions since 15 July 2009. Konstantin Baranov is the head of the Rostov branch of a public youth organisation, Molodaya Evropa (Young Europe), which is an international network of organisations from Western and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, promoting European values such as tolerance, intercultural exchanges and human rights.
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The World Youth Movement for Democracy (WYMD) is a global community of youth and their allies working non-violently for democracy. It was founded by a group of young people, like you, who believe in and work for fair elections, free speech, and human rights. They believe we can be stronger by working together.
The WYMD belongs to its participants and is open to anyone committed to the principles and goals of the movement.
The WYMD is a meeting space for the free exchange of ideas. It is a network that links like-minded youth with each other, with resources, and with opportunities. It is a community whose members work together and support each other in solidarity.
So what do we mean by "Democracy"?
For the full answer to that question, read the founding statement of the World Movement for Democracy, from which the Youth Movement emerged.
By definition democracy means participation of the people in decision-making.
In short, the Movement believes that no one culture has a monopoly on democratic values, that the desire for freedom is universal, and that nothing can justify the violation of human rights. Its members believe in building democratic structures where they don't exist and strengthening them where they do.
The Movement is not about holding up one model of democracy as THE path for every country, but rather about promoting certain values in all societies, including human rights, the rule of law, a strong civil society, autonomous media, the empowerment of all citizens, government transparency, and civilian control of the military. More...
