Supreme Court decides not to dissolve “Memorial”
Moscow 28.01.2015
The Russian historical, educational, human rights and charitable society “Memorial” will not be dissolved as the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit against “Memorial”, expressing doubt about the declared All-Russian status of the society. In November, having listened to the ministry’s claims, “Memorial” held a conference with its branches and members, during which a new charter was adopted. The Ministry of Justice did not withdraw the lawsuit, leaving the last word to the court. On 28h January, the Supreme Court decided that “Memorial” had corrected the violation and therefore refused to dissolve the organisation, according to Vedomosti.
Oleg Orlov, a board member of the historical, educational, human rights and charitable society “Memorial” said that the court’s decision was based on the law. Orlov was quoted in Vedomosti as having said, “It would have been absurd and silly, when the Ministry of Justice agreed that all of the stated violations had been rectified, to then decide to dissolve “Memorial”’.
Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, previously defended “Memorial”, stating that the members of the organisation not only protect the history of Russia but are also engaged in defending the rights of the individual and the building of state law.
Author: Gregory Ivanushkin
http://www.asi.org.ru/news/verhovnyj-sud-ne-stal-likvidirovat-obshhestvo-memorial/