I am appalled by the Russian authorities' designation of Memorial, one of the oldest and most prominent human rights organisations in the country, as an "extremist" organisation - effectively criminalising critical human rights work.
This decision is part of a broader, unsettling pattern in which the Russian authorities are applying laws intended to combat extremism to prosecute individuals or organisations under the guise that they are associated with vaguely defined extremist "movements" or groups.
Yesterday's raid on Russian independent media outlet Novaya Gazeta and the detention of journalist Oleg Roldugin, are also indicative of this continuing clampdown on civic space, freedom of expression and association, and repression targeting any individuals or groups perceived to be opposed to the Government.
I call on the Russian authorities to ensure compliance with their obligations under international human rights law. I urge them to immediately annul the latest decision on Memorial and ensure that no individual is subjected to criminal or administrative liability for the exercise of their fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful association.
