Similarities and differences in the laws on countering extremism in Russian Federation and Central Asian countries

Abstract

This article, based on primary sources in Russian, provides a comparative analysis of the following aspects of anti-extremism legislation in the five founding countries of the SCO (Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan): the goals and principles of enacting laws, the main areas of combating extremist activities, the main objectives of countering extremism, and the structures and powers of the bodies responsible for combating extremist activities. The following points are also subject to comparative analysis: provisions prohibiting the use of networks or preventing the use of public communication networks for the purpose of extremist activities, the definition of the concepts of «extremist materials», «extremist activities», «extremist organisation» and «extremist», liability and consequences for violating the legislation on countering extremism, international cooperation in the field of countering extremism. In conclusion, the common features and differences in the content of the laws on countering extremism of the countries under consideration are summarised and their underlying causes are investigated.