Letter to United States Congress

March 9, 2018

Dear Members of Congress,

Organizations that represent Americans from a diverse group of ethnic communities call on Congress to denounce the upcoming presidential election in Russia which is scheduled for March 18, 2018 as unfair and condemn the use of authoritarian tools to suppress democratic principles that are the foundation of the Russian Constitution and are part of the international obligations of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Federation is often considered by the United States as an equal political and trade partner. Its ruling political establishment of President Vladimir Putin presents itself as legitimately and democratically elected. However, in every election cycle, the Putin government demonstrates its true nature. It cracks down on freedom of speech and association, limits the rights to public assembly and expression, commits massive election fraud, falsifies voting results, fails to register independent opposition parties and candidates, engages in political repression and baseless legal charges against Putin’s critics. It misrepresents fear of repression and a lack of political alternatives as public approval and support for Putin’s rule. According to Freedom House’s “Freedom in the World 2018” report, “With loyalist security forces, a subservient judiciary, a controlled media environment, and a legislature consisting of a ruling party and pliable opposition groups, the Kremlin is able to manipulate elections and inhibit genuine opposition.”

In order to re-elect Putin to a fourth term, the ruling party’s government regime rejected the registration of the only strong opposition politician, Alexey Navalny. Instead, it is allowing a number of pseudo-opposition candidates to run who have never taken part in the political process before. State-controlled TV networks and a non-transparent voting system are set to create an illusion of a democratic reelection, while it is nothing more than a show to cast a veneer of legitimacy on an authoritarian leader.

We believe that America is strongest when our policies and actions match our values. Amid the growing threat from Russia to the free and democratic world, amid its disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks, meddling in other countries’ elections, and military aggression, we call on Congress to condemn the upcoming presidential election in Russia as unfree, unfair and undemocratic.