in which he asserted that the increase in the Tatar population in Bashkortostan in the Soviet era was incorrect and that only the 1926 Soviet census had objective statistics, RFE/RL's Ufa correspondent reported.

According to the 1926 census, Russians made up 40 percent of Bashkortostan's population, while Bashkirs comprised 22 percent, and Tatars only 10 percent. That same year, Tatar Misher and Tipter sub-ethnic groups, which comprised 14 percent of the population, were registered as separate peoples.

Yamguzhin said in the article that Mishers were a separate people, while the Tipters were Bashkirs until the 18th century. He said the inclusion of Mishers and Tipters in the Tatar nation during the censuses after 1926 was a "violation of those peoples' right to self-determination."

Yamguzhin also said that, "As a result ofTatar assimilation in the northwest of Bashkortostan, 25 percent of Bashkirs said Tatar was their native language in the 1989 census."

The movement was formed by the Rus organization for Russian rights in the republic and the Tatar Public Center (TIU) in order to promote equality among all ethnic groups in Bashkortostan. The movement had been seeking registration from the Justice Ministry for a year, but was refused because it had listed the home address of one of its leaders as its legal address.

The ministry plans to appeal the verdict to Bashkortostan's Supreme Court.

Also on 8 May, TIU branch leader Airat Giniatullin told RFE/RL's Ufa correspondent that starting on 1 July, a new federal law on political parties and public organizations will come into force, lifting the requirement for