Russia’s oldest human rights group which was founded in 1980s to document the political suppressions under the Soviet Union was ordered to closed down by the country’s Supreme Court.

The court ordered the closure of the Memorial International under Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law, which has targeted dozens of NGOs and media outlets who were perceived as critical of the government.

About 100 supporters of the organisation had gathered outside the court on Tuesday,&nbsp;with many chanting “shame” after the verdict was delivered. Police made several arrests, according to reports.

The NGO tweeted images of police carrying away a protester.

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Задерживали сегодня в том числе так <a href="https://t.co/S8CmmtOmbb">pic.twitter.com/S8CmmtOmbb</a>
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The designation “foreign agent” is used on those organisations who receive funding from abroad.

The memorial had been working to recover the memory of the millions of innocent people executed, imprisoned or persecuted in the Soviet era.

In court, prosecutor Alexei Zhafyarov labelled the Memorial as “public threat” which was distorting history.

He also accused the group of being in the pay of the West to focus attention on Soviet crimes instead of highlighting a “glorious past”.

Judge Alla Nazarova ordered that the organisation be closed for “repeated and gross” violations of Russia’s foreign agent laws.

Apart from that, various other organists run by the group, including Memorial International Historical, Educational, Charitable, and Human Rights Society, and “its regional branches and other structural units”, have been ordered to shut down.

Genri Reznik, a lawyer who represented Memorial on Tuesday, told the Guardian that decision reeked of politics, adding that the hearing reminded him of the Soviet show trials of the 1930s.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia’s oldest human rights group which was founded in 1980s to document the political suppressions under the Soviet Union was ordered to closed down by the country’s Supreme Court.

Russia’s oldest human rights group which was founded in 1980s to document the political suppressions under the Soviet Union was ordered to closed down by the country’s Supreme Court. The court ordered the closure of the Memorial International under Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law, which has targeted dozens of NGOs and media outlets who were perceived as critical of the government. About 100 supporters of the organisation had gathered outside the court on Tuesday, with many chanting “shame” after the verdict was delivered. Police made several arrests, according to reports. The NGO tweeted images of police carrying away a protester. Задерживали сегодня в том числе так pic.twitter.com/S8CmmtOmbb — Memorial (@MemorialMoscow) December 28, 2021 × The designation “foreign agent” is used on those organisations who receive funding from abroad. The memorial had been working to recover the memory of the millions of innocent people executed, imprisoned or persecuted in the Soviet era. In court, prosecutor Alexei Zhafyarov labelled the Memorial as “public threat” which was distorting history. He also accused the group of being in the pay of the West to focus attention on Soviet crimes instead of highlighting a “glorious past”. Judge Alla Nazarova ordered that the organisation be closed for “repeated and gross” violations of Russia’s foreign agent laws. Apart from that, various other organists run by the group, including Memorial International Historical, Educational, Charitable, and Human Rights Society, and “its regional branches and other structural units”, have been ordered to shut down. Genri Reznik, a lawyer who represented Memorial on Tuesday, told the Guardian that decision reeked of politics, adding that the hearing reminded him of the Soviet show trials of the 1930s. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian Supreme Court shuts down country’s oldest human rights group Memorial International

As part of its ongoing crackdown on media outlets and rights groups, Russia has declared the main organisation defending LGBTQ rights to be a "foreign agent" on Monday.

In addition, several lawyers tied to the Russian opposition were also declared foreign agents by the ministry.

Groups classified as "foreign agents" must make their status known in all their publications and on social media, as well as follow a myriad of administrative procedures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/close-to-crime-against-humanity-teaching-children-about-gender-identity-is-monstrous-says-putin-423080">'Close to crime against humanity': Teaching children about gender identity is 'monstrous', says Putin</a>

Similar to the Soviet-era "enemy of the people" tag, it is intended to target groups with foreign funding and those engaging in political activities.

LGBT-Set has been added to the Justice Ministry's official list of foreign agents. This list already features a number of journalists, lawyers, and activists.&nbsp;

The organisation, which was founded in 2006, according to its website caters to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families providing them with legal assistance and support.

In addition, it conducts educational campaigns and gathers evidence of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-gay-men-returned-to-chechnya-face-mortal-danger-rights-group-says-361852">Two gay men returned to Chechnya face 'mortal danger', rights group says</a>

Earlier this year, in February, the group had denounced the arrest of two Chechen men who were then deported back to Chechnya.

Authorities in the Russian republic have been accused by rights groups of jailing and torturing homosexuals in secret prisons.

In Russia, where conservative and religious circles hold a dim view of the LGBTQ community, attacks on them are relatively frequent.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: In Europe, a fight for LGBTQ rights

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-in-europe-a-fight-for-lgbtq-rights-393771/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russia implemented a law banning homosexual "propaganda" aimed at minors in 2013, which served as a pretext for banning Pride marches and rainbow flags that are symbols of the LGBTQ community.

As of 2020, the Russian constitution also specifies that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, effectively banning gay marriage. 
&nbsp;

As part of its ongoing crackdown on media outlets and rights groups, Russia has declared the main organisation defending LGBTQ rights to be a "foreign agent" on Monday.

As part of its ongoing crackdown on media outlets and rights groups, Russia has declared the main organisation defending LGBTQ rights to be a "foreign agent" on Monday. In addition, several lawyers tied to the Russian opposition were also declared foreign agents by the ministry. Groups classified as "foreign agents" must make their status known in all their publications and on social media, as well as follow a myriad of administrative procedures. Also read | 'Close to crime against humanity': Teaching children about gender identity is 'monstrous', says Putin Similar to the Soviet-era "enemy of the people" tag, it is intended to target groups with foreign funding and those engaging in political activities. LGBT-Set has been added to the Justice Ministry's official list of foreign agents. This list already features a number of journalists, lawyers, and activists. The organisation, which was founded in 2006, according to its website caters to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families providing them with legal assistance and support. In addition, it conducts educational campaigns and gathers evidence of discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation. Also read | Two gay men returned to Chechnya face 'mortal danger', rights group says Earlier this year, in February, the group had denounced the arrest of two Chechen men who were then deported back to Chechnya. Authorities in the Russian republic have been accused by rights groups of jailing and torturing homosexuals in secret prisons. In Russia, where conservative and religious circles hold a dim view of the LGBTQ community, attacks on them are relatively frequent. Watch | Gravitas: In Europe, a fight for LGBTQ rights Russia implemented a law banning homosexual "propaganda" aimed at minors in 2013, which served as a pretext for banning Pride marches and rainbow flags that are symbols of the LGBTQ community. As of 2020, the Russian constitution also specifies that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, effectively banning gay marriage.

Russia assigns enemy of the people, 'foreign agent' tag to LGBT rights group

As the Russian&nbsp;independent editor Dmitry Muratov&nbsp;was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize 2021, Russia’s authorities labelled few journalists and publications as 'foreign agents'.<o:p></o:p>

A few hours after the world celebrated Russia’s investigative journalist, the Russian authorities labelled an investigative news outlet, Bellingcat, as a ‘foreign agent’. Along with the media firm, nine other journalists and two other media houses were also treated the same way.<o:p></o:p>

This action by the Russian authorities is being understood as a trial of hampering the work carried out by these journalists and media houses, which is also a lot of times against the ruling government.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-peace-prize-awarded-to-journalists-maria-ressa-and-dmitry-muratov-419104">Nobel Peace Prize awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov</a></o:p>

However, the Kremlin has denied these allegations, but has maintained that three companies and nine journalists are acting as foreign agents.<o:p></o:p>

The decision by Kremlin was not supported by the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who tweeted, "we will try to help people who have been designated as [foreign] agents, who are being hounded and forced out of Russia."<o:p></o:p>

Bellingcat is known for revealing Russia agents who had been accused of carrying out the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in 2018.<o:p></o:p>

The news did not come as a shock for the investigative journalism firm.<o:p></o:p>

"What took you so long?" tweeted Christo Grozev, an investigator for Bellingcat.<o:p></o:p>

"Bellingcat has been deemed such a threat to Russia that we've been declared a foreign agent," said Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat’s founder. “I guess this is the Russian Nobel prize?”<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, US-registered MNews.world and the Caucasus Knot website have also been included in this list of 'foreign agents'.<o:p></o:p>

Any individual or company that has been labelled as a 'foreign agent' by the Russian government is supposed to register with the authorities and report all activities and finances every six months. In addition to this, all their exchanges, including text messages, are to come with a disclaimer that reads that the concerned person is a foreign agent.<o:p></o:p>

As the Russian independent editor Dmitry Muratov was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize 2021, Russia’s authorities labelled few journalists and publications as 'foreign agents'.

As the Russian independent editor Dmitry Muratov was awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize 2021, Russia’s authorities labelled few journalists and publications as 'foreign agents'. A few hours after the world celebrated Russia’s investigative journalist, the Russian authorities labelled an investigative news outlet, Bellingcat, as a ‘foreign agent’. Along with the media firm, nine other journalists and two other media houses were also treated the same way. This action by the Russian authorities is being understood as a trial of hampering the work carried out by these journalists and media houses, which is also a lot of times against the ruling government. Also read | Nobel Peace Prize awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov However, the Kremlin has denied these allegations, but has maintained that three companies and nine journalists are acting as foreign agents. The decision by Kremlin was not supported by the Nobel Peace Prize winner, who tweeted, "we will try to help people who have been designated as [foreign] agents, who are being hounded and forced out of Russia." Bellingcat is known for revealing Russia agents who had been accused of carrying out the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury in 2018. The news did not come as a shock for the investigative journalism firm. "What took you so long?" tweeted Christo Grozev, an investigator for Bellingcat. "Bellingcat has been deemed such a threat to Russia that we've been declared a foreign agent," said Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat’s founder. “I guess this is the Russian Nobel prize?” Meanwhile, US-registered MNews.world and the Caucasus Knot website have also been included in this list of 'foreign agents'. Any individual or company that has been labelled as a 'foreign agent' by the Russian government is supposed to register with the authorities and report all activities and finances every six months. In addition to this, all their exchanges, including text messages, are to come with a disclaimer that reads that the concerned person is a foreign agent.

'Russian Nobel Prize?': Russia labels Bellingcat and other journalists as 'foreign agents'

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media.

The small rally on Saturday was organized by several opposition candidates. It was officially billed as a meeting between candidates and voters in order to avoid accusations of staging an unauthorized rally, according to news agency Associated Press.

The candidates condemned the recent designation of several independent media outlets as “foreign agents.”

“(President Vladimir) Putin has set his own goals. The media is bothering him, so all media must be destroyed,” Reuters quoted Marina Litobinovich, one of the opposition candidates, while speaking to a crowd.

“My friend, we have to resist as much as we can. Many media will have to go underground.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-declares-media-outlet-the-insider-a-foreign-agent-400306">Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent'</a>

Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law was adopted in 2012. The government uses the foreign agent designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity.

The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny.

The authorities have designated nearly 50 journalists and media as “foreign agents.” The term they say refers to foreign-funded outlets that have political prejudice but are criticized by critics as a reversion to Soviet persecution.

The Kremlin denies persecuting the media for political reasons.

The status of a foreign agent increases the risk of prosecution by requiring the media to submit detailed reports of activities and finances.

Candidates have promised to run a campaign to overturn the law on foreign agents if journalists are elected.

(With inputs from agencies)

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media.

Twelve opposition candidates running for Russia’s parliamentary election in September met numerous journalists in Moscow on Saturday, asking them to “resist” the Kremlin’s crackdown against the independent media. The small rally on Saturday was organized by several opposition candidates. It was officially billed as a meeting between candidates and voters in order to avoid accusations of staging an unauthorized rally, according to news agency Associated Press. The candidates condemned the recent designation of several independent media outlets as “foreign agents.” “(President Vladimir) Putin has set his own goals. The media is bothering him, so all media must be destroyed,” Reuters quoted Marina Litobinovich, one of the opposition candidates, while speaking to a crowd. “My friend, we have to resist as much as we can. Many media will have to go underground.” Also read | Russia declares media outlet The Insider a 'foreign agent' Russia’s controversial “foreign agent” law was adopted in 2012. The government uses the foreign agent designation to label foreign-funded organisations that it says are engaged in political activity. The term carries negative Soviet-era connotations and subjects those designated to extra government scrutiny. The authorities have designated nearly 50 journalists and media as “foreign agents.” The term they say refers to foreign-funded outlets that have political prejudice but are criticized by critics as a reversion to Soviet persecution. The Kremlin denies persecuting the media for political reasons. The status of a foreign agent increases the risk of prosecution by requiring the media to submit detailed reports of activities and finances. Candidates have promised to run a campaign to overturn the law on foreign agents if journalists are elected. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition candidates rally media against 'foreign agent' law

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents."

Lawmakers want to broaden existing legislation that forces foreign-funded media and NGOs to describe themselves as "foreign agents" to include individuals.

Foreign agents are required to register with the justice ministry, label the material they publish and submit much more detailed paperwork or face fines.

Critics said this would affect bloggers and even ordinary people posting on social media, although some ruling party lawmakers denied this.

Amnesty International in a joint statement with other rights groups, including Journalists Without Borders, decried it as "a further step to restrict free and independent media" and "a strong tool to silence opposition voices."

The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, was scheduled to discuss the amendments in the crucial second reading on Tuesday afternoon.

Authors say the bill is intended to "perfect" existing legislation on "foreign agents" that already covers NGOs and media organisations.

The law will "primarily affect bloggers," the RBK independent news site said. But President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed such concerns as "horror stories."

"You don't need to be a journalist, it's enough just to write something on social media," wrote political observer Anton Orekh.

One of the authors, Senator Andrei Klimov, told RBK that the law will affect anyone who posts "unlawful" media material and receives money from abroad, including from advertising.&nbsp;

Rights activist Alexander Verkhovsky, who sits on Putin's human rights council, warned that the law could affect anyone who posted online and received any money from abroad, even for unrelated reasons.

Lawmakers insist the label would only be imposed on journalists who cover politics.

Senator Klimov told the Kommersant daily: "If someone writes about a hockey match or chasing butterflies, no one will recognise them as a foreign agent."

Russia wants the law in order to have a tit-for-tat mechanism if its journalists are defined as foreign agents in the West, said Leonid Levin, the head of the Duma's information policy department.

Russia first passed legislation allowing media organisations to be slapped with the label in 2017 after Kremlin-funded RT television was declared a foreign agent in the United States.

Media affected by the law include US-financed Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe and Voice of America.

The legislation was originally passed in 2012 to cover NGOs and has been widely used against rights groups.

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents.

Rights activists warned Tuesday of greater curbs on media and online freedom in Russia ahead of a vote on a controversial bill that could lead bloggers and independent journalists to be labelled "foreign agents." Lawmakers want to broaden existing legislation that forces foreign-funded media and NGOs to describe themselves as "foreign agents" to include individuals. Foreign agents are required to register with the justice ministry, label the material they publish and submit much more detailed paperwork or face fines. Critics said this would affect bloggers and even ordinary people posting on social media, although some ruling party lawmakers denied this. Amnesty International in a joint statement with other rights groups, including Journalists Without Borders, decried it as "a further step to restrict free and independent media" and "a strong tool to silence opposition voices." The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, was scheduled to discuss the amendments in the crucial second reading on Tuesday afternoon. Authors say the bill is intended to "perfect" existing legislation on "foreign agents" that already covers NGOs and media organisations. The law will "primarily affect bloggers," the RBK independent news site said. But President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed such concerns as "horror stories." "You don't need to be a journalist, it's enough just to write something on social media," wrote political observer Anton Orekh. One of the authors, Senator Andrei Klimov, told RBK that the law will affect anyone who posts "unlawful" media material and receives money from abroad, including from advertising. Rights activist Alexander Verkhovsky, who sits on Putin's human rights council, warned that the law could affect anyone who posted online and received any money from abroad, even for unrelated reasons. Lawmakers insist the label would only be imposed on journalists who cover politics. Senator Klimov told the Kommersant daily: "If someone writes about a hockey match or chasing butterflies, no one will recognise them as a foreign agent." Russia wants the law in order to have a tit-for-tat mechanism if its journalists are defined as foreign agents in the West, said Leonid Levin, the head of the Duma's information policy department. Russia first passed legislation allowing media organisations to be slapped with the label in 2017 after Kremlin-funded RT television was declared a foreign agent in the United States. Media affected by the law include US-financed Radio Liberty/ Radio Free Europe and Voice of America. The legislation was originally passed in 2012 to cover NGOs and has been widely used against rights groups.

Fears as Russian MPs consider foreign agent tag for bloggers, journalists