17:44, 21 July 2014

Russia's MoJ adds HRC "Memorial" to registry of "foreign agents"

Writing on the wall of the Human Rights Centre "Memorial" building meaning ‘foreign agent’. Photo by Yulia Klimova/Memorial

As reported today by the Russia's Ministry of Justice (MoJ), five organizations have been added to the registry of the non-profit organizations (NPOs) - "foreign agents", including the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after an unscheduled inspection back in March 2013 Moscow Prosecutor's Office demanded from the HRC "Memorial" to get registered as a "foreign agent". The HRC considers the conclusion of prosecutors, who found political nature in its activities, to be erroneous. The demand of the Office was challenged at the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow, but on May 23, 2014, the court dismissed the HRC's complaint.

According to the MoJ, the registry of "foreign agents" was complemented with the "Agora" Interregional Association of Human Rights Public Associations; the "Public Verdict" Foundation for Promoting Defence of Citizens' Rights and Freedoms; the Interregional Public Organization HRC "Memorial"; the Kaliningrad Regional Public Organization "Ekozaschita! - Zhensovet"; and the Autonomous NPO "Lawyers for Constitutional Rights and Freedoms".