YHRM unlawfully persecuted in Russia
00:00, August 11, 2007 | AnnouncementsOur Organization – one of the most active human rights organizations in the Russian speaking space “International Youth Human Rights Movement” has been declared “inactive” and was deprived of legal personality by court decision in Nizhy Novgorod, Russia on demand of the Federal Registration Service.
The judgment has been passed on Jun.13 but organization learned about it just a few days ago – the hearings took place behind closed doors with YHRM not notified.
International organization, which unites more than a thousand activists from 22 countries, was de jure declared non-existent.
This case is one of the consequences of the much criticized new Russian legislation on NGO that severely hinder activities of NGOs and give controlling bodies extended powers of sanctions. Ironically, YHRM is quite active in supporting freedom of association and has been one of the most vocal critics of the new legislation.
The International YHRM is going to appeal the decision and is calling for support for all civil society actors, facing increased pressure and extensive control from the authorities in Russia.
Letters of support are much welcome, send to the address of organization
39400, Russia, Voronezh-center, box 152,
by fax: +7 4732 54 55 30 (preferably)
or by e-mail int@yhrm.org
More details on the case, as well as the call of solidarity are available on the website of YHRM http://www.yhrm.org/defence_yhrm/51/ (soon updated into English)
History of YHRM:
http://www.yhrm.org/eng/about/history/
More about the work of YHRM: http://www.yhrm.org/eng/direction/
Additional information (in Russian and English):
Honorary President of YHRM Andrey Yurov +7-916-113-51-81;
Coordinator of legal programs Dmitri Makarov +7-916-537-13-67
http://www.yhrm.org/eng/
see letters of support in Russian>>> pdf 194 kb; pdf 195 kb