Russia: Charges brought against museum director for defending freedom of expression

Your Excellency,

I am deeply concerned following reports that charges of extremism have been brought against Yury Samodurov, director of the Sakharov Centre in Moscow. The Sakharov Centre is an art museum which is also used for human rights events such as press conferences and seminars, and has extensive literature on human rights in its library.

On 13 May 2008, Yury Samodurov was charged with inciting religious hatred for organising the “Forbidden Art – 2006” exhibition which took place in March 2007 in the Sakharov Centre. He is now awaiting sentencing but could face up to two-years imprisonment. According to Yury Samodurov, the aim of the exhibition was to promote the monitoring of human rights and the discussion of censorship applied to visual arts in Russia. However, the court ruled that it contained artwork which was considered offensive towards the Russian Orthodox Church. The authorities have not commented on the charges brought against Yury Samodurov.

In the past Yury Samodurov has spoken out to defend freedom of expression. In January 2003 the Sakharov Centre was raided because of the “Caution, Religion!” exhibition. Artwork was deliberately damaged and Yury Samodurov was convicted for inciting racial hatred. Yury Samodurov describes the Sakharov Centre not only as a museum but as a research centre and a human rights organisation.

I believe that Yury Samodurov has been targeted as a result of his legitimate work in the defence of human rights, in particular his work in defence of freedom of artistic expression.

I urge the Russian authorities to:

1. Immediately drop all charges against Yury Samodurov, as it is believed that they are being brought against him because of his legitimate work as a human rights defender;

2. Guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Yury Samodurov and all members of the Sakharov Centre;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders and human rights organisations in Russia are free to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals.

I respectfully remind you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals.

I would particularly draw attention to Article 11 “Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others to the lawful exercise of his or her occupation or profession” and to Article 12 (2): “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.”

Yours sincerely,