Sakharov Centre dissolution signals crackdown on dissent in Russia
A Moscow court on Friday dissolved the Sakharov Centre, one of Russia's last remaining human rights associations, in a further sign of the rollback of freedoms and the repression of opposition voices in the country.
The court justified its order on the grounds that the Sakharov Centre had been organising illegal events outside of the "area of activity" designated by the government.
This is the third time recently that the authorities have used this reason to dissolve a critical association. In January, the same court disbanded the Moscow Helsinki Group, Russia's oldest human rights NGO, and in April the Sova Centre, which specialises in studying racism and xenophobia.
The Sakharov Centre was founded in 1993 and has been a leading voice in defending human rights in Russia. It has hosted hundreds of debates, cultural events, and a museum of Soviet crimes.
The dissolution of the Sakharov Centre is a major blow to human rights in Russia. It is a sign that the government is determined to silence all dissent and crack down on any independent voices.
