ECHR tells Russia to suspend dissolution of Memorial pending review of claim over ‘foreign agent’ laws

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued an interim measure telling Russia to suspend the dissolution of the International Memorial Society and the Memorial Human Rights Center, Interfax reported on Wednesday, December 29.

As the European Court explained, a 2013 application against Russia’s “foreign agent” legislation filed by 11 Russian NGOs — including Memorial — is currently under consideration in Strasbourg.

Therefore, the ECHR recalled that in accordance with the rules of the Court, enforcement of the decisions on the dissolution of Memorial’s organizations should be suspended for the period necessary for the Court to consider the 2013 claim.

Russia’s Supreme Court dissolved the Memorial International Historical Educational Charitable and Human Rights Society on December 28; the Moscow City Court similarly ordered the closure of the Memorial Human Rights Center on December 29. Both decisions were based on charges brought by the Attorney General’s Office over alleged violations of Russia’s laws on “foreign agents.”

Memorial’s representatives said they intend to challenge both verdicts. In accordance with Russian law, they have 30 days to appeal against the rulings before they enter into force.