ADC 'Memorial' defended the rights of ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, migrants, stateless persons, women, people with disabilities, as well as victims of racism and xenophobia in Russia. In addition, the organization collected and summarized information on the facts of discrimination based on ethnicity. For example, in 2012 ADC 'Memorial' issued and sent to the UN Committee against Torture a report entitled 'Roma, migrants, activists: victims of police brutality'. The Russian authorities regarded this report as a fact of 'political activity' and demanded that the organization register as a 'foreign agent'. Disagreeing with such a demand from the authorities, 'Memorial' decided to liquidate itself.
Name
Charitable Private Institution for the Protection of the Rights of Persons Subjected to Discrimination 'Anti-Discrimination Centre 'Memorial'' (ADC 'Memorial')
Field of activity
Human rights organizations with a wide range of causes
Status
“Foreign agent” (NGO)
Reason for recognition
The Ministry of Justice claims that ADC 'Memorial' engaged in political activities. The Russian authorities considered the ADC 'Memorial' report 'Roma, Migrants, Activists: Victims of Police Abuse' as a fact of 'political activity' and demanded that the organization register as a 'foreign agent'.
Year of recognition
2013
Status description
Since 2012, such status can be obtained by non-profit organizations registered in Russia, and from 2020 unregistered public associations, which, according to the Russian government:
a) receive foreign funding,
b) participate in “political activity,” which is understood as any public activity.
Who recognizes:
Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
Responsibilities:
NPO-"foreign agents” are required to provide a report on their activities, audit reports, and data on the organization’s pe...
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