Head of HRC speaks against closing the "Memorial"

There are no grounds for closing the Russian Society "Memorial", Mikhail Fedotov, the head of the Russian Presidential Human Rights Council (HRC), said today.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Russia's Supreme Court (SC) scheduled for November 13 the consideration of the claim lodged by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) demanding to close the Russian Society "Memorial". Rights defenders believe that the MoJ is restricting the citizens' right to form associations; and, therefore, they intend to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

According to Mikhail Fedotov, the appearance of the lawsuit to close the human rights organizations has to do with the "lack of coordination of the 'Memorial' and the MoJ."

"I see no reason to close the "Memorial"; and there's no political motive in this case, said Fedotov.

"Since the claims of the MoJ against the "Memorial" apply only to its Charter, and not the programmatic activities, it would be appropriate to postpone the consideration of the MoJ's lawsuit at the SC till December or January. "I can understand the 'Memorial'. So far, they have failed to amend their Charter, since amendments had been made in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation; and the "Memorial" was waiting for them to come into force," the Interfax quotes Mikhail Fedotov as saying today.

He added that on November 19 the "Memorial" will hold its general meeting to amend the Charter, which is currently disliked by the MoJ.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.