Members of Human Rights House Network express its deep concern in regard to the situation of the Russian Research Centre for Human Rights (RRCHR), which has recently received a letter from the Moscow Property Department. The letter informs the RRCHR of the necessity to leave its current office by 31st of December 2007. Read the statement below. (13-NOV-07)

Members of Human Rights House Network express its deep concern in regard to the situation of the Russian Research Centre for Human Rights (RRCHR), which has recently received a letter from the Moscow Property Department. The letter informs the RRCHR of the necessity to leave its current office (Moscow, Luchnikov Lane, 4, doorway 3) by 31st of December 2007.

For 15 years the Moscow authorities have provided the Centre with the premises on favorable terms. Based on a new law of the Moscow authorities, certain listed organizations may benefit from lower office rent. Consequently, on 26 January 2007, the Centre appealed to the Moscow Government Public Affairs Committee with a request to be included on the list. To date, the RRCHR has not received a definite reply.

This means that the RRCHR must find and equip a new office in a very short period of time. Moreover, a new office can be rented only on commercial rates, which are commonly 5-7 times higher than the current rent. The RRCHR will be forced to change its legal address, which will lead to additional difficulties with registration in the Federal Registra-tion Service and interrupt contacts of the RRCHR with both national and international organizations. The RRCHR`s activity will be seriously limited, if not stopped, for an uncertain period of time.

The RRCHR is a well-known, respected and active NGO, consisting of 10 prominent human rights organizations. These include: the Union of the Committees of Soldiers` Mothers of the Russian Federation, Mother’s Right Foundation, Social Partnership Foundation, Moscow Centre for Prison Reform, Right of a Child, Human Rights Network Group and Independent Psy-chiatric Association of the Russian Federation. The RRCHR is member of the International Human Rights House Network, which has members in 10 countries.

The Moscow authorities` decision to terminate the contract will have serious consequences for the RRCHR´s assistance to these same authorities and contribution to a reduction in social tensions. The RRCHR consults citizens on human rights issues and provides free legal assistance to more than 6500 people each year. The address of the centre is well known as a place where people seek assistance. Thousands of people send their complaints to this address. Further more, the centre provides education to the public, representatives of non-governmental and governmental organizations.

Bearing in mind that the President of the Russian Federation has proclaimed a course of supporting civil society, we encourage the Moscow Property Department to reflect this policy, and to resolve the difficult situation of the RRCHR, by prolonging the rent contract with the RRCHR or by providing a new office on favorable terms. We also ask the Moscow authorities to include RRCHR into the list of charitable organizations so that they can continue to do their important work.

Signed by members of the Human Rights House Network:

Mirsad Pandzic, HRH Sarajevo
Thomas Bryde, HRH Bergen
Agnieszka Mikulska, HRH Warsaw
Sergej Mackievic, HRH Minsk/Vilnius
Srdjan Dvornik, HRH Zagreb
Inger Lise Husøy HRH Oslo
Henderson Mullin, HRH London
Morris Odhiambo – HRH Network Nairobi

13th of November 2007