Once again, hundreds of people have been arrested at demonstrations in Moscow. The arrests do not reflect the peaceful nature of the protests against the exclusion of independent candidates from the Moscow city elections. The repeated infringements of the guaranteed right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are in breach of Russia’s international obligations and seriously undermine the right to free and fair elections. Russia must protect its citizens’ fundamental rights effectively. We therefore expect all peaceful demonstrators to be released soon. With a view to the regional election, we call for all independent candidates who meet the requirements to be allowed to run for election.