The Memorial: the growing international attention to the problem of Russian political prisoners will positively affect their fates

June 30, 2020

The Memorial International Human Rights Centre intends to work together with Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, whom the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights appointed rapporteur on the problem of political prisoners in Russia.

Memorial’s message regarding the rapporteur’s appointment notes: “Now she has two years to study the issue, gather materials, visit Russia, hold hearings at PACE and present a report with recommendations to the Assembly.”

Memorial’s representatives stress: “We wish her much success and hope that the growing international attention to the problem of Russian political prisoners will positively affect their fates, making it possible to either change these abuses or at least stop the growth of the number of political prisoners.”

In January, a group of 43 national representatives from 16 countries introduced a draft resolution at PACE to appoint a rapporteur on the issue of Russian political prisoners. The representatives cited data from Memorial Human Rights Centre, which lists over 300 political prisoners – a significant increase in numbers over the last few years. According to Memorial HR Centre member Sergei Davidis who heads the political prisoner support program, PACE members’ reliance on the Memorial lists makes perfect sense since Memorial’s designation of political prisoners is based on PACE’s resolution from 2012.

Alexey Pichugin was one of the first in Russia to be acknowledged as political prisoner.

Source: Memorial Human Rights Centre message.