OVERVIEW
In recent years, freedom of expression, a human right recognized under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has come under assault in numerous countries around the world. This year’s simulation will focus on how the media has portrayed the degradation of human rights and civil liberties in Russia - the worst crackdown since the Soviet Union's collapse - coinciding with the controversy-mired 2014 Sochi Winter Games. Many activists and protesters have strongly opposed Russia’s anti-gay propaganda law enacted by Putin in 2013 and have since then fallen victim to violence, fines, arrest and other oppressive actions. Through the Russia Simulation, ActOut hopes to educate M4 students about how messages are conveyed and manipulated by different stakeholders while providing insight into the current social situation in Russia.