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Following Armenia’s decision to join a customs union with the Russian Federation, President Vladimir Putin is visiting the country on Monday 2 December. The protests in favour of rapprochement with the European Union spread from Maidan in Kiev to Yerevan.

Members of the Human Rights House Network (HRHN) express their concern to learn that the European Union is aiming at further reducing the ordinary budget of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The NGOs call upon the European Union to support the work of the Office, by increasing its ordinary budget as a way to strengthen the impact of its work and cooperation by all States.

Members of the Human Rights House Network (HRHN) express their concern to learn that the European Union is aiming at further reducing the ordinary budget of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The NGOs call upon the European Union to support the work of the Office, by increasing its ordinary budget as a way to strengthen the impact of its work and cooperation by all States.

Human rights defenders and their NGOs working on the rights of women or related to gender face more and more risk, including those working on sexual rights, such as the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual people (LGBT). The United Nations needs to send a strong signal.

Though the situation with the rent agreement is still not solved, and the city administration of Voronezh stays reluctant to the activities Human Rights House Voronezh performs, there is hope.

The Human Rights House Voronezh, one of the members of the Human Rights House Network, may be left without premises, after the actions taken by the Voronezh city district administration. This would not only damage the entire group of organizations sharing the premises, but would also negatively affect the citizens who are in need of assistance.

The right to be a human rights defender has been reinforced by the resolution adopted by consensus at the Human Rights Council. The resolution focuses on legislation affecting, restricting and criminalising the work and activities of human rights defenders.

Shortly before 16:00 local time (13:00 CET time) on Wednesday 19 December 2012 police officers and investigation officers entered the premises of the Human Rights House Voronezh to conduct a search in all its offices. The Human Rights House Network calls upon Russian authorities to return all confiscated materials and stop harassing and intimidating human rights defenders.

More on human rights defenders at the Council of Europe CoE Secretary General proposes a mechanism to address reprisals against human rights defenders. PACE: Don’t compromise on Russian human rights