Disinfo: Europe punishes quarantine violators tougher than Russia

Summary

It is easy to notice that Russian law and law enforcement practice in the matter of punishing quarantine violators is much more humane than in Europe. There, measures to combat violators can truly be called draconian. However, in most Western countries nobody opposes such authoritarian measures. Human rights activists are silent, no demonstrations are being held, and many citizens are happy to call the police, reporting violations of the “regime of clamping rights and freedoms” by neighbours.

Disproof

This claim is consistent with the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign around the coronavirus, implying that the COVID-19 pandemic represents the end of democracy and open societies and will lead to an authoritarian takeover. On the contrary, Russia has its strict measures against quarantine violators as well. At the end of March 2020, the Russian parliament has approved an “anti-virus” package of laws including up to seven years in prison for serious violations of quarantine rules. At the same time, there are a lot of concerns and warnings from human rights organisations against some restrictions in different countries. For example, Human Rights Watch said that in a number of countries, governments have failed to uphold the right to freedom of expression, taking actions against journalists and healthcare workers.

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 198
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 29/04/2020
  • Outlet language(s) Russian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: EU, Russia
  • Keywords: coronavirus, Virus / bacteria threat, Russian superiority, European values
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Disinfo: Secret American bio-labs in Ukraine

A scandal erupted in Ukraine at the peek of the Coronavirus epidemic in Europe, over the activities of Secret American labs working on dangerous human diseases.

In countries like Ukraine or Georgia, it is easy for Americans to find volunteers to do human tests.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative concerning the coronavirus pandemic and the Tbilisi-based Lugar Lab.

The story fits the broader set of conspiracy theories on the supposed man-made origins of various infectious diseases. There is no evidence that SARS, MERS, or avian influenzas were created in laboratories.

Disinfo: Freemasons began secretly chipping Ukrainians

The process of ‘chipisation’ (inserting microchips under the skin) of the population has started in Ukraine. Ukrainians will be ‘chipped’ by the American organisation Rotary International, associated with the Freemasons.

Disproof

Another conspiracy theory about immunisation and vaccination of humanity. Hinting at the existence of secret societies of freemasons ruling the world from behind the curtains is a frequent method used by pro-Kremlin disinformation outlets, to sow distrust in national authorities and state bodies. Information about the 'chipping' of Ukrainians appeared on a personal page on the social network of a Ukrainian dentist. In his post, he ironically writes for fans of conspiracy theory, writing a clearly comic post about 'biochipisation' of the population. This sarcastic post was picked up and reported in all seriousness by some journalists. Rotary International was founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris. Rotary is a network of more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide in more than 34.000 clubs. In Ukraine, there are more than 40 clubs spread over the country. Rotary is a worldwide organisation that brings together business and private people who want to make a change to save the world, to build business and friendship relations in its country and across borders, meeting leaders from worldwide societies with success in life and Rotary. In Ukraine, the Rotary Club implements several charity projects aimed at improving the quality of life of Ukrainians. The club has nothing to do with the Freemasons.

Disinfo: EU is not democratic and is led by Germany

It is a very dangerous misconception to see the EU as a democratic institution. It is not one at all. It cannot even be one. It is, in fact, nothing else than a club lead by Germany. It is only useful to enforce interests, nothing else. The ideological coat of paint is simply power politics, and as EU leaders are getting angrier and angrier because things are not going the way they want them to, they are paying less and less attention to formalities. They used to ask nicely at first, then they shouted in personal meetings, then they cried foul openly. We got to the point where they want to take away all the benefits of EU membership from Central European states and strengthen all its disadvantages.

Disproof

Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on the undemocratic EU and its dictate over the EU members. No evidence is presented about how the EU wants to take away the benefits of EU membership or strengthen its disadvantages. There is no proof either that Germany is leading it. Germany, while its opinion is influential in EU debate, cannot alone form a blocking majority in the Council of the European Union and German MEPs also cannot block or amend legislation in the EP without support from other delegations. Central European countries are themselves involved in EU decision-making in European institutions. The EU is a democratic Union of 27 Member States. The unique feature of the EU is that, although the Member States remain sovereign and independent states, they have decided to pool some of their 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. The decision-making structure in the EU is defined by the EU treaties. Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union ensures the principle of subsidiarity, which guarantees that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen. Learn more here. See similar cases claiming that the EU is a neocolonial project, that the EU elections are a sham democratic “hullabaloo” for an undemocratic and exclusive EU, that EU is aggressive, and the EU continues the aggressive policies of Nazi Germany or a big number of European countries are under a new form of colonialism.