Press Release, 02.03.2020

Today, Sergei Adamovich Kovalyov, legendary Soviet and Russian human rights activist and member of the Yabloko party, celebrates his 90th birthday.

A dissident, political prisoner, State Duma deputy, one of the authors of the Second Chapter of the Constitution dealing with human rights and freedoms, the first Human Rights Ombudsman in Russia – these are the main, but not all, facts of his impressive biography.

We are grateful to Sergei Kovalyov that he was with our party during all the years that were difficult for Yabloko, and in 2006 he became full member of the party and Co-Chair of the Yabloko Human Rights Faction. Until 2019, he was a member of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee.

Yabloko leaders congratulate Sergei Kovalyov on his birthday.

Nikolai Rybakov, Yabloko Chairman:

Respected Sergei Adamovich,

With your incredible biography you represent the embodiment of what the true intelligentsia should be like in our country. A man of great courage, intelligence and dignity, who will tell the truth – even the most uncomfortable and unpleasant! – when the rest keep silent. At any time, the main for you was a person, his/her right to life and freedom – and this is the basis of Yabloko values.

Wishing you health and many years ahead!

Truly yours,

Nikolai Rybakov

Grigory Yavlinsky, Chairman of the Yabloko Federal Political Committee:

Dear Sergei Adamovich,

Congratulations on your wonderful anniversary!

A life of a man of conscience, truth, dignity and protection of human rights is always full of challenges.

Cruelty of the authorities, deaf misunderstanding of those who do not consider protection of human rights an urgent matter, a flow of requests for help from those who have faced injustice, and danger of every step in this hard work!

A person who has chosen such a path is guided only by conscience and the notion of higher justice.

Your path, dear Sergei Adamovich, is just like that!

I wish you health and strength!

We are proud to be with you.

With great gratitude and infinite respect,

Always yours,

Grigory Yavlinsky

Boris Vishnevsky, Deputy Chairman of Yabloko:

Sergei Adamovich Kovalyov turns 90.

A man with an impeccable reputation. Human rights activist and politician. Unconditional authority for very many people, whom one always coordinate his position with. I am proud of being acquainted with him for many years and proud that Sergei Adamovich has been in Yabloko for many years. Now I have called him, congratulated him, and conveyed him the best regards from his St.Petersburg colleagues.

Happy anniversary, dear Sergei Adamovich! Be with us as long as possible!