ACRI stands in solidarity with Memorial, the oldest and most respected human rights organization in Russia, and expresses strong protest against the decision of the Russian authorities to close the organization.
Persecution of human rights organizations is a practice carried out by dark regimes, and must be vehemently opposed. Notably, in Israel, the Minister of Defense also declared six Palestinian organizations operating in the West Bank to be terrorist organizations, without presenting any evidence or proof of the serious charge.
Outlawing and closing down organizations critically harms human rights defenders and civil society organizations and seeks to silence those who work to protect the rights of their people. In the face of such acts, clear and unequivocal voices must be sounded out against silencing and persecution.