The Foundation is engaged in protecting the rights of prisoners, representing their interests in courts and international human rights institutions, as well as publishing materials on the problems of the Russian penitentiary system. The organization is headed by human rights activist Lev Ponomarev, who also has the status of a “foreign agent.”

In March 2021, the organization briefly disappeared from the federal list of NGO “foreign agents.” In the Ministry of Justice it was explained by a technical failure.

Name
“In Defense of Prisoners' Rights” Foundation
Field of activity
Help for prisoners and convicts
Status
“Foreign agent” (NGO)
Reason for recognition
It was mentioned in the Ministry of Justice' registry that the "In Defense of Prisoners' Rights" Foundation was deemed a foreign agent due to receiving foreign funding from Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom (Germany).
Year of recognition
2019
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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