Anna Politkovskaya Event: Decade of Russian Repression

In memory of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya (1958-2006), we consider repressive practices over the last decade in Russia. The laws against free media, civil society, and LGBTIQ-communities that in many ways led up to Russia’s horrific war on Ukraine.

Elena Milashina is an investigative journalist with Novaya Gazeta, whose editor-in-chief received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the newspaper in 2021. Milashina will participate at the seminar alongside representatives of the Russian opposition.

 

Program

17 00 – 17 10 Welcome remarks: Berit Lindeman, Secretary General, Norwegian Helsinki Committee 

17 10 – 17 40 Conversation with Elena Milashina, investigative journalist, Novaya Gazeta: 
“The legacy of Anna Politkovskaya today: Journalism in Putin’s era”  

17 40 – 18 10: Panel discussion: Is there room for opposition in 2024 Russian elections? 
– Vitaliy Bovar – Opposition politician  
– Valentina Likhoshva – LGBTIQ rights activist
– Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik – State Secretary, Norwegian MFA

– Inna Sangadzhieva – Director Europe & Central Asia, Norwegian Helsinki Committee  

18 10 – 18 20 Questions 

18 20 – 18 25 Closing remarks: Berit Lindeman 

Moderator: Ivar Dale 

18 30 – 19 30 Refreshments and exhibition

 

Background

When Russian presidential elections were held in March 2012, Vladimir Putin once again switched seats with Dmitry Medvedev, who had temporarily held the presidency. To the Kremlin’s surprise, thousands took to the streets in protest.

Over ten years have passed since the Russian State Duma began to adopt Russia’s current legislation on “foreign agents”, “LGBT propaganda” and “undesirable organisations”. These laws have always been aimed at shutting down demands for democratic political change or respect for human rights.

In Russia, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 was followed by the introduction of “martial law” against mass media, journalists, and human rights activists. In many ways, today’s reality represents the culmination of what the Putin regime was always preparing for. Fragile democracies in Hungary, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan have even copied worst legal practices from Russia, when seeking to deal with government critics.

In March 2024, Russia is set to conduct another round of presidential elections. What role can Russia’s opposition, the country’s embattled media scene and its human rights activists be expected to play?

Every year the NHC organize seminars and events in memory of the Russian Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya who was brutally murdered 7 October 2006. This year we look back at the past decade and the ways in which the repressive, Russian regime has attempted to deal with an awakening civil society and oppose international human rights standards.

Please register for the seminar and join us for a social gathering after the event. See also the Facebook event.

The event is supported by Fritt Ord

Contact us

Employee

Inna Sangadzhieva

Director for Europe and Central AsiaEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 97 69 94 58
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Employee

Aliaksandra Safonava

Program Assistant, Project Manager for BelarusEmail: [email protected]Phone: 46373631
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