• Russia: Security Forces Shut Down Protest at Sochi Olympic Site
    Apr 30, 2013
    Press release
    Police and private security forces forcibly dispersed a group of residents protesting construction at a proposed power plant site in the Hosta district of Sochi on April 29. The security forces injured some protestors while aggressively dragging some of them off of a temporary bridge being built to enable machinery access the site.
  • Russia: Voters’ Group First Victim of ‘Foreign Agent’ Law
    Apr 25, 2013
    Press release
    The decision of a Moscow court on April 25, 2013, to fine an independent nongovernmental organization and its leader is an alarming indicator for the future of civil society in Russia.
  • Russia: Worst Human Rights Climate in Post-Soviet Era
    Apr 24, 2013
    Press release
    The Russian government has unleashed a crackdown on civil society in the year since Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency that is unprecedented in the country’s post-Soviet history.
  • Russia: Activist Held Without Bail
    Apr 17, 2013
    Press release
    Authorities in Russia should free a civil society activist charged with misuse of government funds pending his trial.
  • Russia: Worker Exploited on Olympic Venues is Detained
    Apr 11, 2013
    Press release
    The Russian authorities have unlawfully detained a migrant construction worker who was seeking to file a complaint for nonpayment of wages on Olympic venues in Sochi.
  • Russia: Woman in Dire Health Is Freed
    Apr 5, 2013
    Press release
    Russian authorities on April 5, 2013, released a young woman with a severe health condition after three months in pretrial detention.
  • Russia: Merkel, Rutte Should Press Putin on Rights
    Apr 3, 2013
    Press release
    The leaders of Germany and the Netherlands should urge President Vladimir Putin of Russia during his upcoming visit to reverse his administration’s crackdown on civil society and erosion of human rights.
  • BRICS: Take Concrete Steps to Help Syria’s People
    Mar 26, 2013
    Press release
    The BRICS countries should call for an end to indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian-populated areas in Syria, and insist that cluster munitions and incendiary weapons should not be used. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are meeting in Durban for the annual BRICS summit on March 26 and 27, 2013.
  • Russia: New Pressure on Civil Society
    Mar 24, 2013
    Press release
    A wave of inspections of nongovernmental organizations in Russia is intensifying pressure on civil society since the adoption of a series of restrictive laws in 2012.
  • Russia: Free Pussy Riot Members
    Mar 1, 2013
    Press release
    Russian authorities should immediately and unconditionally free the two members of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot who remain behind bars.
  • Russia: Hollande Should Press Putin on Rights
    Feb 22, 2013
    Press release
    President Francois Hollande of France should urge President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to reverse his administration’s crackdown on civil society and erosion of human rights when the two leaders meet on February 28, 2013.
  • Russia: Migrant Olympic Workers Cheated, Exploited
    Feb 6, 2013
    Press release
    Migrant workers building sites and infrastructure for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, have been cheated and exploited.
  • Russia: Worst Crackdown Since Soviet Era
    Jan 31, 2013
    Press release
    The Kremlin in 2012 unleashed the worst political crackdown in Russia’s post-Soviet history. The authorities introduced a series of restrictive laws, harassed and intimidated activists, and interfered in the work of nongovernmental organizations, crushing hopes for reform following the winter 2011 mass protests.
  • Russia: Reject Homophobic Bill
    Jan 27, 2013
    Press release
    Vicious attacks on gay rights protesters in Russia in recent days underscores the need for the Russian Duma to reject a draft law on “propaganda for homosexuality.”
  • Russia: Investigate Death Threats Against Defender
    Jan 21, 2013
    Press release
    Russian authorities should investigate death threats against Vitalii Ponomarev, the lead Central Asia expert with Memorial Human Rights Center. The investigation should be prompt and comprehensive, and Russia should seek cooperation from Uzbek authorities to ensure its thoroughness.
  • Human Rights Watch Mourns the Loss of Yuri Shmidt
    Jan 12, 2013
    Press release