PC.DEL/1087/08

18 December 2008

OSCE+

ENGLISH

Original: RUSSIAN

Delegation of the Russian Federation

STATEMENT BY MR. ANVAR AZIMOV,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, AT THE MEETING OF THE OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL

18 December 2008

In response to the search of the St. Petersburg office of the non-governmental organization “Memorial”

Mr. Chairman,

We should like to make the following comments in exercise of the right reserved by us at the last meeting of the Permanent Council to return to the question raised by our Western partners regarding the search of the St. Petersburg office of the non-governmental organization (NGO) “Memorial”.

Regretfully, this is not the first time that our colleagues have blithely drawn attention to some event or other connected with the observance of human rights in Russia, taking it out of context, failing to analyse it or look more closely at the real reasons behind it. This case concerned the work of the Russian authorities responsible for countering extremist activities, which is fully consistent with the commitments undertaken by our country within the framework of the OSCE.

The search conducted by the public prosecutor’s department of St. Petersburg on 4 December of the office of the human rights NGO “Memorial” was a sanctioned investigative activity in connection with the proceedings instigated under article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code concerning the organization of extremist activities. They were opened following articles in the newspaper “Noviy Peterburg” which were defamatory, incited extremism and insulted representatives of the authorities. The law enforcement authorities had good reason to suspect that “Memorial” was involved in the financing of this publication.

By way of elaboration I should like to point out that the newspaper “Noviy Peterburg” was shut down by a court ruling in 2007 for incitement to extremism. The publication was subsequently authorized to resume operation. The case of the authors of the extremist articles is currently being considered by the courts.

I note that cases of this type are not uncommon in Western countries either. We are well informed of them and if desired can cite numerous examples. But just imagine what the meeting of the Permanent Council would turn into if that were to happen. In our opinion this would lead nowhere, all the more so as it is not in agreement with one of the fundamental principles of the OSCE, namely respect for the rights that the sovereignty of participating States entails.

Thank you for your attention.