Swedish NGOs: Minister of Justice Must Withdraw Request to Liquidate Society Memorial

Concerned over the fact that the Society Memorial could be closed down as a result of on-going proceedings initiated by the Ministry of Justice in Russia, Civil Rights Defenders, together with three Swedish human rights organisations – Amnesty International Sweden, The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights and Östgruppen – sent an open letter to the Minister of Justice, Aleksandr Konovalov on 16 December.

The undersigned human rights organisations call on Aleksandr Konovalov to immediately withdraw the Ministry of Justice request to liquidate Society Memorial since the allegation against the organisation is unfounded. The request also contradicts the right to freedom of association guaranteed by the Russian Constitution as well as legally binding international human rights instruments which Russia has signed or ratified.

The following organisations have signed the statement:
Amnesty International, Sweden
Civil Rights Defenders
The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights
Östgruppen