The European court of human rights (ECHR) upheld complaints of rights violations during the state Duma elections in December 2011. According to its decision, Russia is obliged to pay the plaintiffs 38 thousand euros.
The complaint was filed by 11 persons, the ECtHR found that the violation had occurred in respect of nine of them. Compensation for 7.5 thousand euros based on the four plaintiffs, two of their representatives in total should be paid on 8 thousand euros (as compensation for legal costs). In addition, if this amount will be taxed in Russia, the tax also must be paid by the government.
The lawsuits were filed by several residents of St. Petersburg, including members of the party “Fair Russia” and volunteer observers.
The applicants spoke about the violation of article 3 of Protocol No. 1 (“the Right to free elections”) and article 13 (“Right to an effective remedy”) the European standards in the field of human rights. Two of them also claimed a violation of article 34 (“the Right of individual petition”).
December 4, 2011 in Russia held elections to the State Duma of the sixth convocation. In attendance were seven of the party “Fair Russia”, LDPR, “Patriots of Russia”, KPRF, Yabloko, United Russia and Right cause. “United Russia” received 49,54% of votes.