Russians Commemorate Victims of Soviet State Terror; Government Continues Crackdown | AP News

"Returning of the Names" event commemorates victims of Soviet state terror in Russia. Moscow authorities refuse permit for demonstration organized by Memorial.

On October 29, Russians gathered to remember the victims of Soviet state terror in an event known as "Returning of the Names", organized by Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights group Memorial. This commemoration traditionally takes place on the eve of Russia's Remembrance Day for Victims of Political Repression at the Solovetsky Stone memorial in Moscow, where names of individuals killed during Joseph Stalin’s Great Terror are read out. However, since 2020, Moscow authorities have refused to grant a permit for this demonstration due to alleged epidemiological concerns and a ban on public events.

In November 2021, Memorial was ordered to close by Moscow authorities. Despite being shut down as a legal entity in Russia, it continues its operations abroad and maintains some human rights activities within Russia. Supporters believe that these actions against Memorial are politically motivated. Instead of a full-scale demonstration this year, Muscovites and several Western ambassadors laid flowers at the Solovetsky Stone under police surveillance.

A Live Broadcasted Commemoration

Memorial also organised a live broadcast reading out the victims' names from various Russian cities and other countries worldwide. The solemn event comes amidst Russian prosecutors seeking a three-year prison sentence for Oleg Orlov, co-chairman of Memorial and prominent human rights campaigner.

Oleg Orlov's Conviction

Orlov was fined around $1,500 earlier this month after being convicted for publicly "discrediting" the Russian military through his Facebook post denouncing Ukraine's invasion - another step towards clamping down activists, independent journalists and opposition figures in Russia. State prosecutors appealed his sentence last Friday deeming it excessively lenient with calls for Orlov’s isolation from society for correction purposes.

The Legacy Of The Memorial

Memorial, one of Russia's oldest and most distinguished human rights organizations, was founded in the Soviet Union in 1987 to ensure that victims of Communist Party repression would not be forgotten. It continues to document human rights abuses and track political prisoners' fate in Russia despite facing recent Kremlin crackdowns.

The "Foreign Agent" Designation

The group had been labelled a "foreign agent", a term that brings additional government scrutiny with strong negative connotations. Over the years, Memorial has faced massive fines for alleged violations of the foreign agent law. In December 2021, Russia’s Supreme Court ordered its closure which sparked an outcry both domestically and internationally.

Support For Orlov

The trial against Orlov is considered politically motivated by Memorial and its supporters. His defense team includes Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

In conclusion, while Russians commemorate victims of state terror through events like "Returning of the Names", it is clear that the struggle for freedom from political repression continues today. The actions taken against groups like Memorial highlight ongoing challenges faced by those fighting for human rights within Russia. Despite these obstacles, such commemorations serve as powerful reminders not only of past atrocities but also present struggles – ensuring that neither are forgotten.