Maria Hurtado said in a statement that the verdict was just the latest “in a series of lawsuits against civil society, journalists, other media and opposition groups and human rights defenders.”
Founded in 1976 by well-known dissidents, MHG covered human rights abuses in the former Soviet Union (USSR) and later the Russian Federation, she noted. It is named after the Helsinki Accords, an international agreement signed by the Soviet government that defends rights and fundamental freedoms.
Intervention of the Ministry of Justice
Its closure was based on a lawsuit from the Justice Ministry, which claimed the organization was only registered to defend human rights in Moscow and not in other parts of the country, arguing that it therefore lacked proper registration.
According to news reports, MHG has always had a broader remit and the group hit back at the ruling, saying it would appeal, calling the measure “disproportionate” and pledging to continue with its work.
The lawsuit against MHG was based on an inspection by the Justice Department last year, which the group said was illegal.
“National Action”
“This nationwide crackdown on independent journalism and dissenting voices has intensified since the Russian Federation’s armed attack on Ukraine,” Ms. Hurtado said.
She added that any restrictions on freedom of opinion, expression and association – core rights in democratic societies – “must meet the strict tests of necessity and proportionality in pursuit of a legitimate purpose”.
Stop choking reporters
Russian authorities should refrain from shutting down the organization or “suppressing” reporting on serious matters of legitimate public interest.
She said it was up to the government “to allow diverse and pluralistic voices to debate within society and in the media, consistent with its human rights obligations.”
