(Berlin, February 27, 2024) – Human Rights Watch joined 31 other organizations on February 27, 2024, in issuing the following statement condemning a Russian court’s sentencing the prominent human rights defender Oleg Orlov.
Statement by Human Rights Groups on the Unjust Verdict and Sentence in Politically Motivated Case Against Russian Human Rights Defender Oleg Orlov
February 27, 2024
We, 32 human rights organizations, condemn Moscow’s Golovinsky District Court’s sentencing today of Oleg Orlov, co-chair of Human Rights Defense Center Memorial, to 2 years and 6 months in prison on politically motivated charges of “repeatedly discrediting” Russia’s armed forces.
Orlov, 70, is a veteran human rights defender who has devoted his life to exposing rights abuses and seeking justice for victims. His “crime” was to protest the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine and the escalating political repression inside Russia. Orlov’s trial was a mockery of justice and an attack on the fundamental right to free expression. He and his legal team have said that they will appeal the verdict.
Russian authorities should quash Oleg Orlov’s conviction and release him immediately along with all those detained simply for exercising their basic human rights, including public criticism of government abuses. Key international actors should use their influence take all possible measures to obtain Orlov’s freedom and hold the Russian government accountable for its grave and persistent human rights violations.
List of Signatories
Human Rights Watch
Amnesty International
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH)
OVD-Info
Front Line Defenders
Public Verdict Foundation
Civic Assistance Committee
Human Rights Defence Center "Memorial"
International Memorial Association
Crew Against Torture
Stichting Justice Initiative
Board of Civil Society Forum
Human Rights House Foundation
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
The Netherlands Helsinki Committee
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland)
Movement of Conscientious Objectors
Freedom House
Citizens' Watch
International Protection Centre
Mass Media Defence Centre
Andrei Sakharov Institute
Freedom Files, Poland
International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR)
Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine
Anti-Discrimination Center Memorial (Belgium)
Human Rights Center Viasna (Belarus)
Belarussian Helsinki Committee
Östgruppen
Radio Sakharov
Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
