Things Will Not Be The Same: OVD-Info on the Liquidation of Memorial NGOs

This is a translated statement by OVD-Info. Original may be found here.

On December 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation ruled to liquidate International NGO 'Memorial' and its regional branches, and on December 29, the Moscow City Court issued a similar ruling in the lawsuit filed by the Moscow Prosecutor's Office against our partner, the Human Rights Center 'Memorial' (a Russian NGO - REM) . This directly affects the work of OVD-Info as well.¹

The attempt to destroy major human rights organizations is only the beginning of more widespread pressure and intensified repression against civil society as a whole. We see that the state is unwilling and unprepared to enter into a dialogue with society and with independent institutions. This is a clear signal to all of us: we can shut you down when we need to.

But liquidating International Memorial will not destroy the work that has been done over the years to reestablish the historical truth about the repressions, nor will it erase the memory of them. Liquidation of the Human Rights Center 'Memorial' and pressure on OVD-Info will not lead to the disappearance of political prisoners, nor will the attorneys and lawyers who were ready to assist them.

The government makes it clear to all of us that political repression will continue and intensify, which means that the demand for the work of OVD-Info and all human rights organizations will only grow. We understand we won't be able to work as we did before, but we know for sure that we won't give up until people need our help and until you support us.

Together with you, we are sure to figure out how to continue the work of OVD-Info and how not just to keep all of our services and projects, but to make them even more effective and sustainable. But while we still have at least a month to spare: the Human Rights Center will challenge the decision of the Moscow City Court, and the liquidation process itself can take from 3 months to a year. We continue to work as we have been, and it is still safe to support us.

How can you help us?

Near the end of the year, we were deprived of a website, a key partner, and a holiday, and we could use some help and support. Right now, you can help us in this way:

• Sign the petition against blocking our social media accounts - it's very important to us now, but it won't just help us;
• subscribe to our social networks - they are our main communication channel now;
• send donations, preferably in crypto-currency (may be applicable only to Russian citizens due to legal regulations - REM) or just give us a kind word of support on social networks - the latter is especially helpful for our team right now.

Stay in touch! Just like 10 years ago, we believe that together we will figure out how to cope with all the challenges!

And remember: the worse the situation, the more important solidarity and joint resistance to the coming darkness.

OVD-Info is an independent human rights media project about political persecution in Russia. Through the hotline, we gather information about detentions at public rallies and other cases of political repression, publish news, and coordinate legal assistance to detainees.

References:

¹ Russian Human Rights Center 'Memorial' has been providing infrastructure and some financial support to OVD-Info since 2013.