Petition in support of "Memorial" collects over 56,000 signatures

Within five days, over 56,300 people have signed the petition demanding to prevent the closure of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" and the "International Memorial".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after the lawsuits lodged by the prosecutor's office on the liquidation of the HRS "Memorial" and the "International Memorial" (the international historical, educational, charitable and human rights society "Memorial"), the #WeMemorial campaign was launched in social networks; and protest actions were held in a number of Russian cities. On November 12, the above electronic petition was posted in support of both organizations. A separate petition was drawn up by scientists – it was signed by 65 members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

On November 8, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit with the Moscow City Court to liquidate the HRC "Memorial", claiming that the Centre had justifies extremism and terrorism. Human rights defenders have treated these claims as absurd.

The "Memorial" not only disagrees with the awarding the status of a foreign agent, but also opposes such labelling in principle. This initiative was put forward in August by members of the "Syndicate-100" journalistic association, who pointed out to President Vladimir Putin that it was necessary to amend the law on "foreign agents". The "Caucasian Knot" has also joined the media action against the laws on foreign agents.