Open Space
The Open Space human rights project has, over the years, united like-minded activists from across Russian cities through project spaces in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The project involves community centres for activists which offers a space for open communication and collaboration. Open Space coordinates various projects, including projects that offer support to political prisoners and their families in Russia. Open Space provides a safe space for human rights defenders and grassroots activists to host events and receive psychological and emergency support if facing persecution. The first Open Space opened its doors in 2012 in Saint Petersburg, the second in Moscow in 2021.
The environment for the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Russian Federation is difficult, especially for those who defend and promote the rights of LGBTI people, ethnic and religious minorities, refugees, as well as activists of the North Caucasus and the unlawfully annexed Crimean Peninsula. HRDs are often subjected to acts of harassment, surveillance, physical attacks, threat, raids and searches on their offices and homes, slander and smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment, as well as violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly. There have also been cases where HRDs have been murdered as a result of their work.
