View of the Kremlin. Moscow, Russia The UN’s chief human rights activist called on the Russian authorities to reverse the decision to recognize Memorial as an “extremist” organization Human rights
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was shocked by the decision of the Russian authorities to recognize the human rights organization Memorial as “extremist.”
In a statement issued April 10 in Geneva, Turk said the move effectively criminalizes the activities of one of the oldest and most prominent human rights organizations in the country.
The decision fits into a broader trend, the High Commissioner said, of using counter-extremism legislation to target people and organizations allegedly associated with “extremist” movements or groups. He also drew attention to the recent search of the Novaya Gazeta editorial office and the detention of journalist Oleg Roldugin, calling these events further evidence of pressure “on civil society, freedom of expression and freedom of association.” administrative prosecution for exercising one’s fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and peaceful association.