· June, 2012

Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from June, 2012

Bulgaria: “Victim of Beauty” – or Violence Disguised as Fashion

  11 June 2012

12 Magazine, a fashion publication, ran a series of ad images [bg] of women disguised as having been victims of harsh violence – with this warning: “[…] Images are not recommended to people below 16. Neither [are they] for people with weak hearts.” The Fashion Law is inviting readers to...

Ukraine: “Friendly” Euro 2012 Grassroots Initiatives

  8 June 2012

These “friendly” grassroots initiatives are meant for those football fans who are traveling to Ukraine for Euro 2012, which begins today: Friendly Ukraine, an umbrella “community of friendly and hospitable people [who] offer free help to our guests: accommodation, transfers from airport to city, guidance, translation and information services” (RFE/RL...

Macedonia: One Year Since the Murder of Martin Neshkovski

  6 June 2012

It has been one year since the murder of Martin Neshkovski by Prime Minister's bodyguard during the post-election celebration on June 6, 2011. The authorities’ attempts to cover up the murder sparked the 2011 protests against police brutality. To commemorate [mk], activists lit candles on the crime scene in the...

Ukraine: A Roma Camp Burned Down in Kyiv

  6 June 2012

On its Facebook page, the Human Rights Information Center posted a photo report [uk] on the demolition of a Roma camp in Kyiv, which was home to some 70 people, most of them children, until May 31, when 15 men showed up and burned the camp down, ordering the residents...

Slovakia: SOZA Strikes Again

  5 June 2012

One year after having been defeated by public opinion, the Slovak Performing and Mechanical Rights Society (SOZA), which was asking fees for embedded videos on web pages, strikes again. Now SOZA wants fees for St. Nicholaus and Mother's Day performances, during which children recite nursery rhymes and sing folk songs...

Russia: Returning to a State Monopoly on Violence?

  5 June 2012

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, both the mafia and private and military security companies stepped in to supplement domestic Russian law enforcement. One private security company owned by opposition politicians was recently shut down, leading some to speculate on political motivations.

Russia: Oppositionists Ponder Putin's Legacy

RuNet Echo  5 June 2012

With Moscow's next anti-government mass rally scheduled for 'Russia Day' on June 12, 2012, the protest movement reflects on May's 'Million Man March,' which ended in violent clashes between demonstrators and police. Who was to blame, and what are the prospects for Putin in his third presidential term? Masha Egupova reports.

Poland, Ukraine: Euro 2012 and Racism

  1 June 2012

Football fans across Europe have been presented with quite a list of reasons not to travel to Poland and Ukraine for Euro 2012, which is scheduled to begin in a week. The newest item recently added to this extensive and diverse negative publicity menu is racism.

About our Eastern & Central Europe coverage

Filip Stojanovski
Filip Stojanovski is the Central Europe editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Daria Dergacheva
Daria Dergacheva is the Eastern Europe editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.