Highlights
– Right-wing nationalist groups becoming a major concern for Russian government
– Racist attacks likely to ncrease in the near-term
– Poor economic environment may result in increased support for right-wing groups
On May 1, 2009 nearly 2.5 million people demonstrated throughout Russia, the largest turnout since the fall of communism. According to organizers of the annual May Day protests, Moscow alone attracted up to 70,000 people.
Traditionally, May Day is a holiday celebrating the economic achievements of labor movements. This year, violent clashes erupted in Russia and throughout Europe as individuals protested against the handling of the global economic crisis. In Russia, several organizations ranging from communists to other anti-Kremlin activists demonstrated against the government and its handling of the economy.
The May Day marches attracted various groups from across the political spectrum, but it is the right-wing nationalists causing the most concern for Russian authorities. Russian nationalist groups are growing more assertive and popular given the growing migrant population, rising poverty and unemployment, and an overall deteriorating economic environment.
Right-wing groups are likely to attempt to capitalize on rising discontent and anti-immigrant sentiment in the near-term. Most will likely try to capitalize politically, but smaller radical elements are bound to break away and conduct targeted attacks against foreigners blamed for many of Russia’s current economic woes.
Rising Racist Attacks
Given rising Russian unemployment levels and discontent, right-wing groups have grown more vocal in their hate speech of late. According to Alexander Brod, head of the Moscow Bureau of Human Rights, racist-motivated attacks have risen fourfold in the past five years. Official statistics state 293 racist attacks occurred in 2008, including 122 deaths. The unofficial number is likely much higher as many attacks go unreported due to police corruption, a victim’s illegal status, and threats of retribution.
The combination of rising unemployment and public discontent will likely translate into an increase in attacks targeting immigrants, primarily from Central Asia and Caucasus. A new slogan is growing in influence across Russia: “Russia for Russians.” This has become the catchphrase for several right-wing nationalist groups to justify violence against migrants.
DPNI
Russian officials are growing particularly concerned with Alexander Belov’s Movement Against Illegal Immigration (DPNI). There are several right-wing nationalist groups that operate in Russia, but DPNI under Belov’s leadership, has grown in popularity and political clout among the Russian public. The organization is one of Russia’s largest far-right extremist groups, with a primary policy of introducing a visa for migrants from former Soviet republics while sending most back home.
Given the current economic environment, DPNI is advocating a more extremist agenda, specifically discussing the cleansing of anyone who does not have white skin and ranking races according to their respective cultural level. However, Belov defies his critics by claiming his organization is only in favor of peaceful protests. That Belov and other leading members of DPNI solely endorse a non-violent approach remains dubious, as many members of the organization have been convicted of orchestrating violence against immigrants.
DPNI and other nationalist groups, including the Slavic Union, traditionally enjoyed the support of many within the Russia government, primarily by powerful backers in the state Duma. The government now appears to be growing increasingly weary of right-wing nationalist groups, classifying many of them as a threat to the state. The Russian government always supported nationalist posturing towards the West, but that fervor is becoming increasingly antagonistic on the domestic front, resulting in growing government opposition.
Outlook
With the economic crisis worsening and unemployment showing no signs of abating in the near-term, nationalist groups like DPNI will continue to blame Russia’s problems on foreigners residing in the country. Their accusations are extremist and considered hate speech, but resonate among swathes of Russian society. Right-wing leaders claim there is no legal way to express their dislike for immigrants, which will likely translate into an escalation in street violence.
While genuine neo-Nazism is unlikely to gain widespread popularity, casual racism and growing discontent toward immigrants could provoke a significant nationalist uprising. Recent attempts by the government to temper leaders like Belov are long overdue, but unlikely to be effective. Anti-immigrant fervor will remain prevalent among a frustrated Russian populace in the near-term. Further, we expect radical elements of several right-wing groups to resort to small-scale violence targeting foreigners, particularly from Central Asia and the Caucasus, in public places.
