Memorial Are Not Extremists. OVD-Info’s Statement

Memorial Are Not Extremists. OVD-Info’s Statement

The Supreme Court declared the nonexistent international movement “Memorial” an extremist organization and banned its activities. The hearing was held behind closed doors, so we do not know what arguments the court found convincing. But we know for certain that Memorial and the people connected with it are not extremists.

For almost four decades, various organizations bearing the name Memorial have kept people from forgetting the political repressions of the past and present, and have sought to make the state acknowledge responsibility for the crimes committed. Memorial has inspired, and continues to inspire, both individuals and other human rights organizations to act, including OVD-Info.

The court’s decision is another attack on all of Russia’s civil society. As the Nobel Committee wrote today, calling Memorial’s work extremist means “trampling on the fundamental values of human dignity and freedom of speech.”

According to Memorial’s own assessment, the court decision will take effect in one month, and from that moment work in organizations bearing this name (which the authorities consider part of the movement) and support for them will be outside the law, with unjustifiably harsh penalties. Risks may arise not only because of work at Memorial, but also because of donations, reposts, and publishing links to organizations’ websites. Possibly even for trying to search for the list of political prisoners.

The vagueness of extremist legislation is part of the authorities’ deliberate policy. They are consistently blurring legal norms and hiding information about repression so that it is unclear exactly what one should fear. Because in that case, anything can be feared.

We state our disagreement with the court’s decision and our unconditional support for our colleagues connected with Memorial.

Of course, it will now be harder for everyone who continues to fight political persecution and help political prisoners. But that does not mean this work will stop. We have no other way than not to leave a person alone against the system.