Russian Court Orders Memorial Human Rights Organization Shut Down

Russia’s Supreme Court has ordered the closure of the prominent human rights organization Memorial. The organization was designated as a “foreign agent” in 2015 but, according to the court, did not adhere to the rules associated with that status.

All Memorial publications are required by law to display a label that clearly identifies the foreign agent status. According to prosecutors, this did not happen. The defence said at the Moscow trial that there were no serious violations and that only a negligible number of publications were unlabeled.

Memorial is made up of local organizations with Memorial International at the helm. Memorial International manages the extensive archives and also has a coordinating function. All of these branches will have to close, Memorial reports on Telegram. However, the group spoke of a political decision and said before the verdict that the staff would continue to work in the event of a closure.

There is also an ongoing case against the Memorial Human Rights Center. Prosecutors want to close this centre because it would justify terrorism and extremism. Hearing in the case will take place on Wednesday. The human rights centre is also on the list of foreign agents. Individuals and organizations can obtain this status if they receive money from abroad.

Memorial was founded in 1989 by Soviet dissidents, including Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov. The organization reports on human rights violations and campaigns for political prisoners, among others. The government of President Vladimir Putin has increased pressure this year against political opponents, critical media and human rights groups, among others.