One of Russia's oldest and most reputed human rights organisations is closing after a court order, reported Interfax on Friday (August 18).&nbsp;

The court ruled for the shutdown of the Sakharov Center, established to commemorate Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov. The group had been a significant hub for exhibitions and discussions related to human rights since its inception in 1996.

Interfax reported that the Justice Ministry had taken legal action to close the group, citing alleged "systematic gross and irremediable violations of the law.”

These allegations were levelled after the group staged an exhibition about Sakharov in those parts of the country where it did not have any branch.

Additionally, the organisation faced accusations of sharing videos without the required "foreign agent" label, as mandated under Russian laws.

<h2>Response from the Sakharov Center</h2>

The Moscow City Court granted approval to the Justice Ministry's request of closing down the group on Friday. The Sakharov Center, however, denied the alleged violations, asserting that it would persist in its efforts.&nbsp;

Sergei Lukashevsky, the centre's director, expressed his dismay over the decision, highlighting the contradiction between present events and the ideals Sakharov had fought for.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Lukashevsky remarked, "It's disheartening, yet it mirrors reality. The public commission on Sakharov's legacy and the contemporary Russian Federation cannot coexist...And everything that is happening today is exactly the opposite of what Sakharov fought for.”

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian father-son duo enrolled in same brigade

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“We will continue our work. The legacy does not belong to the regime, but to the people. It belongs to all of us," he added.

<h2>Previous cases of state's hostility against the group</h2>

Earlier this spring, the centre declared the closure of its central Moscow premises after receiving an eviction order from city authorities. The reason for this decision, according to official authorities, was the centre's designation as a "foreign agent," which prohibits it from receiving state support under Russian law.&nbsp;

The Sakharov Center contended that the order was driven by the Kremlin's intention to dismantle "independent organizations that defend the public interest."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-approves-sending-f-16-jets-to-ukraine-from-denmark-and-netherlands-626571">Also read:&nbsp;US approves sending F-16 jets to Ukraine from Denmark and Netherlands</a>

This development follows a broader clampdown on dissent within Russia, which has escalated since the invasion of Ukraine. The last few months have witnessed unprecedented pressure on independent journalists and human rights advocates.

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One of Russia's oldest and most reputed human rights organisations is closing after a court order, reported Interfax on Friday (August 18). The court ruled for the shutdown of the Sakharov Center, established to commemorate Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov.

One of Russia's oldest and most reputed human rights organisations is closing after a court order, reported Interfax on Friday (August 18). The court ruled for the shutdown of the Sakharov Center, established to commemorate Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov. The group had been a significant hub for exhibitions and discussions related to human rights since its inception in 1996. Interfax reported that the Justice Ministry had taken legal action to close the group, citing alleged "systematic gross and irremediable violations of the law.” These allegations were levelled after the group staged an exhibition about Sakharov in those parts of the country where it did not have any branch. Additionally, the organisation faced accusations of sharing videos without the required "foreign agent" label, as mandated under Russian laws. Response from the Sakharov Center The Moscow City Court granted approval to the Justice Ministry's request of closing down the group on Friday. The Sakharov Center, however, denied the alleged violations, asserting that it would persist in its efforts. Sergei Lukashevsky, the centre's director, expressed his dismay over the decision, highlighting the contradiction between present events and the ideals Sakharov had fought for. In a Facebook post on Friday, Lukashevsky remarked, "It's disheartening, yet it mirrors reality. The public commission on Sakharov's legacy and the contemporary Russian Federation cannot coexist...And everything that is happening today is exactly the opposite of what Sakharov fought for.” Watch: Russia-Ukraine War: Ukrainian father-son duo enrolled in same brigade × “We will continue our work. The legacy does not belong to the regime, but to the people. It belongs to all of us," he added. Previous cases of state's hostility against the group Earlier this spring, the centre declared the closure of its central Moscow premises after receiving an eviction order from city authorities. The reason for this decision, according to official authorities, was the centre's designation as a "foreign agent," which prohibits it from receiving state support under Russian law. The Sakharov Center contended that the order was driven by the Kremlin's intention to dismantle "independent organizations that defend the public interest." Also read: US approves sending F-16 jets to Ukraine from Denmark and Netherlands This development follows a broader clampdown on dissent within Russia, which has escalated since the invasion of Ukraine. The last few months have witnessed unprecedented pressure on independent journalists and human rights advocates. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Russian court orders closure of reputed human rights group for violating law

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news".&nbsp;

Putin signed off on the legislation against the advice of human rights activists, who warned the laws amounted to censorship and would be abused to further crackdown on freedom of speech.

The law on disrespecting authorities backs punishment for "offending state symbols" and stipulates hefty fines and jail terms of 15 days for repeat offenders.

Another piece of legislation allows authorities to decide what amounts to "fake news" and gives a media watchdog the power to demand an outlet delete the information.

Websites that fail to comply would be blocked.

Fines could reach 1.5 million rubles (over $22,700) if the infraction leads to grave consequences like death or rioting.

Rights activists say that since first becoming president in 2000, Putin has gradually crushed freedoms in Russia, muzzling critics and bringing television under control.

The new legislation takes the crackdown on civil society to a whole new level, they say.

Critics say the legislation is vaguely worded and would have large scope for abuse, further complicating the difficult and sometimes deadly work of rights activists and opposition journalists in Russia.

The Kremlin is stepping up media control to counter a fall in Putin's approval rating amid mounting economic trouble, according to activists.&nbsp;

"These new prohibitions and punishments are not just a continuation of the repressive legislative and practical measures that began in 2012," Yuri Dzhibladze, president of the Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights, told AFP.

"This is a completely new level which almost literally repeats the Soviet-era law about 'activities undermining the Soviet system' and 'anti-Soviet campaigning and propaganda'."

The authorities unleashed a major crackdown on dissenters after Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 in the face of mass protests.

"From now it will be police that will decide what fake news is and what's not," said Alexander Cherkasov of Memorial, a top rights group.&nbsp;

"This will lead to a violation of civil rights and freedoms."

'Hating in silence'

Moscow on Monday marked the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation from Ukraine, a move condemned by the West but celebrated by most Russians.

Mikhail Fedotov, the chairman of the Kremlin's human rights' council, told AFP that the legislation had "numerous flaws" and his group had asked the president to reject it.

Even the usually pliant media criticised the new laws.

"Authorities want people to hate in silence," mass-circulation tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote ahead of the signing last week.

"The authorities' desire to gag their subjects is a very old, shameful and meaningless desire."

In 2018, Putin was elected to a historic fourth term in office with a record vote share amid increasing international isolation.

But the 66-year-old Russian president's popularity ratings have taken a beating due to a controversial pension age hike and falling living standards as a result of tough Western sanctions over Ukraine and other crises.

Last month Russian lawmakers backed a bill that could cut off the country's internet traffic from servers abroad, which critics say is a possible step towards an isolated network like in North Korea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news".

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed controversial laws that allow courts to fine and briefly jail people for showing disrespect towards authorities, and block media for publishing "fake news". Putin signed off on the legislation against the advice of human rights activists, who warned the laws amounted to censorship and would be abused to further crackdown on freedom of speech. The law on disrespecting authorities backs punishment for "offending state symbols" and stipulates hefty fines and jail terms of 15 days for repeat offenders. Another piece of legislation allows authorities to decide what amounts to "fake news" and gives a media watchdog the power to demand an outlet delete the information. Websites that fail to comply would be blocked. Fines could reach 1.5 million rubles (over $22,700) if the infraction leads to grave consequences like death or rioting. Rights activists say that since first becoming president in 2000, Putin has gradually crushed freedoms in Russia, muzzling critics and bringing television under control. The new legislation takes the crackdown on civil society to a whole new level, they say. Critics say the legislation is vaguely worded and would have large scope for abuse, further complicating the difficult and sometimes deadly work of rights activists and opposition journalists in Russia. The Kremlin is stepping up media control to counter a fall in Putin's approval rating amid mounting economic trouble, according to activists. "These new prohibitions and punishments are not just a continuation of the repressive legislative and practical measures that began in 2012," Yuri Dzhibladze, president of the Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights, told AFP. "This is a completely new level which almost literally repeats the Soviet-era law about 'activities undermining the Soviet system' and 'anti-Soviet campaigning and propaganda'." The authorities unleashed a major crackdown on dissenters after Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 in the face of mass protests. "From now it will be police that will decide what fake news is and what's not," said Alexander Cherkasov of Memorial, a top rights group. "This will lead to a violation of civil rights and freedoms." 'Hating in silence' Moscow on Monday marked the fifth anniversary of Crimea's annexation from Ukraine, a move condemned by the West but celebrated by most Russians. Mikhail Fedotov, the chairman of the Kremlin's human rights' council, told AFP that the legislation had "numerous flaws" and his group had asked the president to reject it. Even the usually pliant media criticised the new laws. "Authorities want people to hate in silence," mass-circulation tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets wrote ahead of the signing last week. "The authorities' desire to gag their subjects is a very old, shameful and meaningless desire." In 2018, Putin was elected to a historic fourth term in office with a record vote share amid increasing international isolation. But the 66-year-old Russian president's popularity ratings have taken a beating due to a controversial pension age hike and falling living standards as a result of tough Western sanctions over Ukraine and other crises. Last month Russian lawmakers backed a bill that could cut off the country's internet traffic from servers abroad, which critics say is a possible step towards an isolated network like in North Korea.

Vladimir Putin signs laws against 'disrespecting' authorities, fake news

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Russian court orders closure of reputed human rights group for violating law

Vladimir Putin signs laws against 'disrespecting' authorities, fake news