- The memorial rights organization may be disbanded The accusation system violates the Constitution and “foreign agent” legislation.
- Later this month, Russia’s Supreme Court will consider a request to disband human rights organizations.
- Memorial Rights Group Supervise the work of approximately 50 branches at home and abroad.
A UN official warned on Thursday that if Russia continues its plan to close the memorial hall of the country’s supreme power organization, it will “blatantly ignore” UN values.
Last week, prosecutors disbanded the organization for alleged systemic violations of the Constitution and “foreign agent” legislation, as well as claims to defend “terrorism and extremism.”
After authorities imprisoned Alexei Navalny, Russia’s top opposition politician, earlier this year, the memorial was under pressure during the unprecedented crackdown on opposition and independent groups.
The special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, said: “I hope the authorities will not dissolve, because this will show a flagrant disregard for the values of the United Nations.”
She said at the video news conference: “I am also worried that if the memorial becomes a target, it is only a matter of time before the rest of the participants of Russian civil society become targets.”
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The Supreme Court of Russia will consider a request to dissolve a human rights organization on November 25, which is responsible for overseeing the work of approximately 50 branches at home and abroad.
On Wednesday, a founding member of the memorial told AFP that the move indicated that the Kremlin had taken a “sharp” dictatorship turn.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that the memorial “has been having problems complying with Russian legislation for a long time.”
A member of the President’s Committee on Rights, who usually aligns with the Kremlin’s course, said on Thursday that the advisory body plans to raise this issue with President Vladimir Putin.
The memorial was founded in 1989 by the famous scientist and Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov and other human rights activists, and it has received the attention of the Russian authorities for many years.
The organization is often referred to as a potential Nobel Peace Prize winner, but has never won. It is committed to protecting Russia’s historical memory and opposing human rights violations.
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