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Papers by Federica Prina
MAJORITIES AND MINORITIES IN THE POST-SOVIET SPACE CONTINUITY AND CHANGE, 2018
The concepts of ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ are challenging terms to define in a clear and precise ... more The concepts of ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ are challenging terms to define in a clear and precise manner, especially in the unique environments of post-Soviet space. Linking the definitional complexities of ‘majority’ to the post-Soviet and postcolonial condition, this paper examines the majority-minority dynamics through the lenses of the fluidity of groups, the interaction of communities and the power differentials between communities.
In doing so, the paper analyses cases from two post-Soviet countries. First, the case of Russia illustrates contentious identification of majority and minority communities, where an alternative vocabulary for definition of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ emerged along with alternative understanding of related concepts. Second, the case of Tajikistan looks at the interplay of majority-minority concepts and discusses how the Russian community as a former ‘political majority’ adjusts to its new status of non-dominant group, while the Tajik community becomes the single subject of the nation-building policies.
This Issue Brief examines the possible consequences of Russia's annexation of Crimea on Moldova a... more This Issue Brief examines the possible consequences of Russia's annexation of Crimea on Moldova and its national minorities. It further reflects on the factors that hinder greater integration of persons belonging to minorities, and the expression of minority identity in Moldova/Transnistria. The Issue Brief argues there are two indirect consequences of the annexation Crimea by Russia. First, the annexation deepens the polarization between the pro-Russia and pro-EU camps in Moldova, which manifests itself in multiple ruptures within Moldovan society. Second, such a polarization f urthers a tendency to marginalize (non-Russian) minorities, which implies a reduction of the spaces for the articulation of minority concerns and the expression of minority identity.
Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, Jan 1, 2011
This article investigates the phenomenon of homogenizing policies in post-Yeltsin Russia. This co... more This article investigates the phenomenon of homogenizing policies in post-Yeltsin Russia. This consists of a series of measures that have effectively downgraded ethnicity and increased uniformity. First, the article outlines theories linking multiculturalism and ethnic pluralism, and indeed minority rights, to stability. Second, the article traces the trajectory of nationality policies from the Soviet to the post-Soviet periods, and explains the (post-Yeltsin) Russian authorities' choice to distance themselves from earlier practices, opting for homogenization. Third, it delineates the forms of deethnification: the promotion of a civic Russian identity (the 'the new Russian citizen') to the detriment of minority identities, and the restructuring of the Federation to reduce the salience of ethnicity. In light of the theories linking multiculturalism and stability, the article then examines whether the current 'homogenizing' policies bring a fragile and ephemeral or a durable and solid political stability. The article concludes that, on one side, the measures might be reducing minorities' demands for the preservation of ethnic distinctiveness, leading them to identify with a Russian civic identity. On the other, homogenizing policies, by downgrading ethnicity, have generated grievances, when such policies have been perceived as a form of repression. As such, the status quo does not guarantee long-lasting political stability.
Books by Federica Prina
The volume seeks, first, to identify the kinds of ideas and institutional settings in the framewo... more The volume seeks, first, to identify the kinds of ideas and institutional settings in the framework of diversity policies, which were inherited by post-Soviet countries from the communist rule and, second, to answer the questions about their compatibility with the so-called European standards of non-discrimination and minority protection. The study covers the EU Eastern Neighbourhood, i.e. Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.
Drafts by Federica Prina
Other papers & publications by Federica Prina
Case study prepared for the Committee on the Implementation of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the International Law Association (ILA), 2016
In the Russian Federation, 46 peoples have been legally recognized as “small-in-number indigenous... more In the Russian Federation, 46 peoples have been legally recognized as “small-in-number indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East”. Indigenous peoples are constitutionally recognized in art.69 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (1993). This article was legally implemented by the adoption of three federal laws, which specifically apply to indigenous peoples, namely the Laws “On Guarantees” (1999), “On Obshchinas” (2000), and “On Territories” (2001). Formally, these laws provide indigenous peoples with a number of individual and collective rights, guaranteeing, inter alia, the right to freely use land and renewable natural resources in the territories they traditionally occupy, and areas where they engage in traditional economic activities (“On Guarantees”, art.8, para.1). However, problems seem to lie in the effective implementation of the laws or their constant amendment. For instance, art. 11 of the original text of the Law “On Territories” stated that the use of territories of traditional natural use (in Russian: Territorii Traditsionnogo Prirodopol’zovaniya, hereinafter TTP) shall be free of charge. However, the Russian government has undermined the right of the indigenous peoples to free land use by amending art.11 through Federal Law No.118-FZ of 2007; it has also failed to designate such TTP at the federal level. Regarding their fishing rights, art.25 of the Russian Federal Law No.166-FZ of 2004 “On fishery and the protection of biological water resources”, foresees an exception clause for indigenous peoples from the requirement of holding a fishing permit, when fishing is carried out to satisfy subsistence needs and follows traditional practices at the level of the indigenous community. This provision is also poorly applied. At the same time, indigenous peoples have recently litigated successfully to uphold their fishing rights before domestic Russian courts, in order to guarantee the community’s livelihood. This case study will therefore tackle land and fishing rights of indigenous peoples in Russia by looking at the existing domestic legal framework, instances of lack of implementation of such legislation, and pertinent case law, in light of the guarantees identified by the UNDRIP.
Book Reviews by Federica Prina
Leiden University, IIAS (Dept. of Asian Studies), Online Journal- Newbooks Asia, 2018
The vital importance of this book is that it covers the period after Vladimir Putin's ascension t... more The vital importance of this book is that it covers the period after Vladimir Putin's ascension to the Presidency in 2000 and its turn away from 'Russian democracy' and or developmental capitalism and a re-mooring of the Russian state and society based on revamped notions of Russian nationalism and neo-Eurasianist ideas. By 2002, Putin and his associated siloviki (politicians from the security or military services, many of whom were former state security and military intelligence officers) were firmly in control and would dictate domestic public policies including social, civic, and 'nationalities' policies. National Minorities in Putin's Russia examines the interplay and construction of nationalities polices since 2000 and is based on Prina's fieldwork in Russia focusing on three national minorities: the Tatars (Volga), Mordovians, and Karelians.
MAJORITIES AND MINORITIES IN THE POST-SOVIET SPACE CONTINUITY AND CHANGE, 2018
The concepts of ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ are challenging terms to define in a clear and precise ... more The concepts of ‘majority’ and ‘minority’ are challenging terms to define in a clear and precise manner, especially in the unique environments of post-Soviet space. Linking the definitional complexities of ‘majority’ to the post-Soviet and postcolonial condition, this paper examines the majority-minority dynamics through the lenses of the fluidity of groups, the interaction of communities and the power differentials between communities.
In doing so, the paper analyses cases from two post-Soviet countries. First, the case of Russia illustrates contentious identification of majority and minority communities, where an alternative vocabulary for definition of ‘minority’ and ‘majority’ emerged along with alternative understanding of related concepts. Second, the case of Tajikistan looks at the interplay of majority-minority concepts and discusses how the Russian community as a former ‘political majority’ adjusts to its new status of non-dominant group, while the Tajik community becomes the single subject of the nation-building policies.
This Issue Brief examines the possible consequences of Russia's annexation of Crimea on Moldova a... more This Issue Brief examines the possible consequences of Russia's annexation of Crimea on Moldova and its national minorities. It further reflects on the factors that hinder greater integration of persons belonging to minorities, and the expression of minority identity in Moldova/Transnistria. The Issue Brief argues there are two indirect consequences of the annexation Crimea by Russia. First, the annexation deepens the polarization between the pro-Russia and pro-EU camps in Moldova, which manifests itself in multiple ruptures within Moldovan society. Second, such a polarization f urthers a tendency to marginalize (non-Russian) minorities, which implies a reduction of the spaces for the articulation of minority concerns and the expression of minority identity.
Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, Jan 1, 2011
This article investigates the phenomenon of homogenizing policies in post-Yeltsin Russia. This co... more This article investigates the phenomenon of homogenizing policies in post-Yeltsin Russia. This consists of a series of measures that have effectively downgraded ethnicity and increased uniformity. First, the article outlines theories linking multiculturalism and ethnic pluralism, and indeed minority rights, to stability. Second, the article traces the trajectory of nationality policies from the Soviet to the post-Soviet periods, and explains the (post-Yeltsin) Russian authorities' choice to distance themselves from earlier practices, opting for homogenization. Third, it delineates the forms of deethnification: the promotion of a civic Russian identity (the 'the new Russian citizen') to the detriment of minority identities, and the restructuring of the Federation to reduce the salience of ethnicity. In light of the theories linking multiculturalism and stability, the article then examines whether the current 'homogenizing' policies bring a fragile and ephemeral or a durable and solid political stability. The article concludes that, on one side, the measures might be reducing minorities' demands for the preservation of ethnic distinctiveness, leading them to identify with a Russian civic identity. On the other, homogenizing policies, by downgrading ethnicity, have generated grievances, when such policies have been perceived as a form of repression. As such, the status quo does not guarantee long-lasting political stability.
The volume seeks, first, to identify the kinds of ideas and institutional settings in the framewo... more The volume seeks, first, to identify the kinds of ideas and institutional settings in the framework of diversity policies, which were inherited by post-Soviet countries from the communist rule and, second, to answer the questions about their compatibility with the so-called European standards of non-discrimination and minority protection. The study covers the EU Eastern Neighbourhood, i.e. Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.
Case study prepared for the Committee on the Implementation of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the International Law Association (ILA), 2016
In the Russian Federation, 46 peoples have been legally recognized as “small-in-number indigenous... more In the Russian Federation, 46 peoples have been legally recognized as “small-in-number indigenous peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East”. Indigenous peoples are constitutionally recognized in art.69 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation (1993). This article was legally implemented by the adoption of three federal laws, which specifically apply to indigenous peoples, namely the Laws “On Guarantees” (1999), “On Obshchinas” (2000), and “On Territories” (2001). Formally, these laws provide indigenous peoples with a number of individual and collective rights, guaranteeing, inter alia, the right to freely use land and renewable natural resources in the territories they traditionally occupy, and areas where they engage in traditional economic activities (“On Guarantees”, art.8, para.1). However, problems seem to lie in the effective implementation of the laws or their constant amendment. For instance, art. 11 of the original text of the Law “On Territories” stated that the use of territories of traditional natural use (in Russian: Territorii Traditsionnogo Prirodopol’zovaniya, hereinafter TTP) shall be free of charge. However, the Russian government has undermined the right of the indigenous peoples to free land use by amending art.11 through Federal Law No.118-FZ of 2007; it has also failed to designate such TTP at the federal level. Regarding their fishing rights, art.25 of the Russian Federal Law No.166-FZ of 2004 “On fishery and the protection of biological water resources”, foresees an exception clause for indigenous peoples from the requirement of holding a fishing permit, when fishing is carried out to satisfy subsistence needs and follows traditional practices at the level of the indigenous community. This provision is also poorly applied. At the same time, indigenous peoples have recently litigated successfully to uphold their fishing rights before domestic Russian courts, in order to guarantee the community’s livelihood. This case study will therefore tackle land and fishing rights of indigenous peoples in Russia by looking at the existing domestic legal framework, instances of lack of implementation of such legislation, and pertinent case law, in light of the guarantees identified by the UNDRIP.
Leiden University, IIAS (Dept. of Asian Studies), Online Journal- Newbooks Asia, 2018
The vital importance of this book is that it covers the period after Vladimir Putin's ascension t... more The vital importance of this book is that it covers the period after Vladimir Putin's ascension to the Presidency in 2000 and its turn away from 'Russian democracy' and or developmental capitalism and a re-mooring of the Russian state and society based on revamped notions of Russian nationalism and neo-Eurasianist ideas. By 2002, Putin and his associated siloviki (politicians from the security or military services, many of whom were former state security and military intelligence officers) were firmly in control and would dictate domestic public policies including social, civic, and 'nationalities' policies. National Minorities in Putin's Russia examines the interplay and construction of nationalities polices since 2000 and is based on Prina's fieldwork in Russia focusing on three national minorities: the Tatars (Volga), Mordovians, and Karelians.