Russian court closes down human rights group Memorial

Russia's Supreme Court has ruled to suspend the activities of Memorial, one of the oldest and most respected civil society groups in Russia, arguing that it has violated the law requiring registration as a foreign agent.

In court, the prosecutor labeled Memorial a "public menace," accusing the group of being paid by the West to focus attention on Soviet crimes instead of highlighting a "glorious past," the BBC reported.

"Established in 1989, the Memorial became a symbol of a country opening up to the world – and to itself – as Russia began to examine the darker chapters of its past. Its closure is a clear symbol of how the country has turned back under President Vladimir Putin, dismissing criticism – even from history – as a hostile act," the BBC wrote.

The group's primary task has been to document, through historical and non-political research, the fate of the millions of victims of Stalin's executions, purges, and imprisonments. But they have recently raised other issues, such as that of political prisoners under Putin.

The Forum for Religious Freedom in Europe (FOREF) condemned the closure of this organization and expressed solidarity with the members of Memorial and all Russian citizens seeking freedom and truth.

Memorial was the most respected human rights organization in the country, FOREF continues, adding that its closure signals authoritarian tendencies under President Vladimir Putin.

“Memorial established itself as a key pillar in civil society by fighting to preserve the memory of victims of communist repressions and campaigning against rights violations associated with Russia’s brutal wars in Chechnya and beyond,” the FOREF article states.

According to them, Putin clearly supported the closure of this organization when he said before the Human Rights Council that Memorial was protecting terrorist and extremist organizations.

Memorial had compiled a list of political prisoners that included members of banned religious groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Putin's most prominent critic, Alexei Navalny, whose political organizations were shut down this year.

In October, Memorial said the number of political prisoners in Russia had risen to 420 compared to 46 in 2015.