ECtHR finds Russian law on foreign agents as violating ECHR

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has found the complaints lodged by 107 individuals and organizations, including the "International Memorial"* and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial"*, to be justified, concluding that inclusion of them into the register of foreign agents has violated their right to the freedom of expression and the freedom of association.

"Russia must pay the applicants amounts from EUR 5500 to EUR 10,000 in compensation for moral harm, as well as other amounts in compensation for material damage and expenses," the ECtHR's website has informed.

Apart from the above "Memorials"*, compensations have been awarded to journalists, human rights defenders, environmentalists, and election observers. The applicants complained that inclusion of them into the register of foreign agents has limited their rights, which is a violation of Articles 10 (freedom of expression) and 11 (freedom of association) of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). They also pointed out that the law on "foreign agents" in Russia is stigmatizing, and authorities had adopted it in order to use it against their opponents.

Let us remind you that after the liquidation of the HRC "Memorial"* in June 2022, the public organization the "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD)** was created. The Russian Ministry of Justice (MoD) has the CHRD** into the register of foreign agents.

*On December 29, 2021, by the decision of the Moscow City Court, the Russian legal entities of the "International Memorial" and the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" were liquidated. Activists of the organizations have reported that both organizations will continue their work without forming legal entities.

**As reported on the website of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the reason for including on March 1, 2024, the unregistered "Memorial" Centre for Human Rights Defence (CHRD) into the roster of foreign agents was the spread of "inaccurate information aimed at creating a negative image of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian Armed Forces."