The following text is the transcript of a video I made.
You can listen to it here.
Allow me to borrow minutes of your time for a thought experiment.
If you choose to participate in it, the result may surprise you.
Please write down the countries and governments that show up in your mind, when you hear the following real and active regulations.
Shall we begin?
Failure to report a crime
Think of a country, where the failure to report a crime itself is a criminal offense.
All citizens must inform the authorities about anything they know regarding preparations for terrorist attacks, armed rebellions, and several other kinds of crimes on a list that has more than half a dozen different offenses.
Anyone who doesn't, faces up to a year in prison.
Justifying terrorism on social media
Think of a country, where publishing online incitements to terrorism, or even expressing approval of terrorism on the Internet, is regarded legally as publishing such comments in the mass media, subjecting citizens to the same strict penalties now imposed on media outlets.
The maximum punishment for publicly inciting or justifying terrorism is seven years in prison.
Telephone and SMS records, and police access to that data
Think of a country, where telecommunication companies store records of all calls and text messages exchanged between citizens for a period of six months. Metadata is stored for three years.
State regulators approved “information-distribution organizers” must hold onto the information for one year.
Data encryption
Think of a country, where, if an online service—a messenger app, a social network, an email client, or even just a website—encrypts its data, its owners are required to help the Federal Security Service decipher any message sent by its users.
The fine for refusing to cooperate can be as high as $15,000, or €14,000.
Missionary work
Think of a country, where a missionary work is off limits to anyone not formally affiliated with registered organizations or groups. Any kind of missionary work will now be restricted to specially designated areas.
The fine for violating these new regulations can be high as $15,000, or €14,000.
Tougher punishments for extremism
Think of a country, where people convicted of extremism go to prison more often and for longer. Those who don't end up behind bars will pay more money in fines.
Currently convicted citizens guilty of financing extremist activities now face up to three years in prison, though they're not always incarcerated.
The maximum sentence is set to eight years, and a minimum sentence of three years.
Inducing people to join mass unrest
Think of a country, where inducing, recruiting, or otherwise involving others in the organization of mass unrest is outlawed.
The maximum penalty for breaking this law is ten years, the minimum is five years.
Criminal liability from the age of 14
Think of a country, where the criminal liability of adolescents over fourteen is so harsh, it’s possible to prosecute 14-year-olds for international terrorism, for participation in terrorist communities, organizations, and illegal armed groups, for taking part in terrorist training camps, mass unrest, attempting to kill state officials, and for attacking an official or facility that enjoys international protection.
In addition, 14-year-olds are also prosecuted for the offense of failing to report a crime.