“This is the latest move in Russia’s accelerating crackdown on civil society” – Liberal International President condemns threats to shut down Memorial
Liberal International’s President Hakima el Haité has condemned the Russian authorities’ threat to shut down Memorial, one of the country’s oldest and most respected human rights organisations.
This is the latest blow against civic freedoms in the regime’s accelerating crackdown on government critics and human rights defenders. By labeling human rights activists, opposition, and journalists as “foreign agents,” the regime attempts to suffocate dissent.
“On behalf of Liberal International I express our solidarity and support for Memorial and the rest of the Russian civil society fighting against the increasing repression in the country”, President El Haité stated.
“I am deeply concerned by the situation in Russia and urge the prosecutor to withdraw the lawsuit against Memorial, which is clearly an abuse of political power.”
Memorial defends civil rights in modern Russia and carries out research into the state’s human rights abuses, particularly those committed under dictator Joseph Stalin. By attacking the organisation, the Russian regime is rehabilitating the legacy of the brutal dictator, erasing the memory of its crimes, and denying victims and their families justice.
Posted: November 19th, 2021 under Freedom of Speech, Human Rights, Overcoming Stalin's Legacy, Political Parties, YABLOKO and the International Liberal Family.