Rights defenders see links of liquidation of "Memorials"* with war in Ukraine

The persecution of human rights organizations is caused by authorities' struggle with the dissent, the participants in the press conference of the "International Memorial"* and the Human Rights Centre "Memorial"*, have stated. The Russia's special operation in Ukraine is connected with the repressions against the human rights organizations, which call for learning lessons from the past, they believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) of Russia satisfied the claim of the Russian General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) for the liquidation of the "International Memorial"*; and later, the Moscow City Court (MCC) decided to liquidate the HRC "Memorial"*. Consideration of the appeal of the "International Memorial" is scheduled for February 28.

Elena Zhemkova, the executive director of the "International Memorial"*, has noted that she hopes for a fair decision on the appeal.

In her opinion, the main reason for the persecution is that the "Memorial"* "forced the generation of victors to repent."

Nikita Petrov, a board member of the "International Memorial"*, has treated the attack on non-commercial organizations (NCOs) as an authorities' attempt to "combat the dissent in favour of unanimity."

"The bloody events underway now (the Russia's special operation in Ukraine) are directly related to the repressions against the "Memorials"*, as they are doing the most important work – they refuse to forget the crimes committed by the state; they investigate them and demands responsibility," Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of the "Novaya Gazeta" newspaper, has stated.