Russian human rights defenders urge Norway to be more critical on Russia

A delegation of the Russian civil society, including Stanislav Dmitrievskij, is visiting Norway to raise the Norwegian authorities’ awareness about the human rights situation in the Chechen Republic and to discuss possible strategies with their Norwegian human rights counterparts. Simultaneously Oleg Orlov, right, of the human rights organisation Memorial revealed pictures and footage of a secret prison in the centre of Grozny. (13-JUN-06)

Text: HRH / Ralph Pluimert. Pictures: HRH / Ralph Pluimert

During a seminar organised by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee on 12 June, with the title ‘Human Rights in Russia: What can Norway do?’ all participants uttered widespread criticism on Russia’s human rights record, with the emphasis on the ongoing nightmare in the Chechen Republic. According to senior human rights activist Sergei Kovalev, left, the situation in today’s the Russian Federation, despite many differences, can be compared to the situation in the former Soviet Union, but the current system can be considered as more successful.

Future of Russian NGO’s
There was no consensus on the question how the future for the Russian civil society looks like. It is clear that the Russian state is tightening its grip on civil society, which is more and more controlled. Oleg Orlov of the Russian NGO Memorial described how time-consuming these requirements made by the authorities are. Of all activities it is for example checked if they are in accordance with the organisation’s statutes. Another way to hinder an organisation is by levying extra taxation, which many smaller organisations will not be able to pay.

-Dare to be critical
The final goal of the Russian authorities is, according Orlov, to establish a patriotic civil society, which is led by the authorities themselves. He considered the case against Dmitrievskij, right, as an exception. Dmitrievskij himself however said that he, as one of the loudest voices, had been the first one to be arrested and convicted but that more would follow. Dmitrievskij also said that if it hadn’t been for the massive support of Russian and international civil society, he would have received a far higher sentence. Russian authorities are very sensitive for criticism from the Western world on human rights issues, he assured. Sergei Kovalev added that other countries, like Norway and institutions like the Council of Europe, should be less careful when criticizing the Russian Federation. Norwegian State Secretary Kjetil Skogrand replied that Norway didn’t hesitate to take up sensitive issues with the Russian Federation. He mentioned that Norway would discuss human rights issues with the Russian Federation during a meeting at 15 June.

Secret prison
At the seminar Oleg Orlov showed participants pictures and footage from a secret prison Memorial had been visiting two weeks before. At the prison people had been held prison and tortured before they disappeared. A few days after Memorial visited the building it was set afire and torn down. Read more about this prison in this article of Yanina Savenko on the Moscow pages.