Gregory Shvedov
Gregory Shvedov is a human rights journalist and editor-in-chief of the Caucasian Knot. The Caucasian Knot is an independent Russian media portal founded in 2001 by the International Historical and Human Rights Society ‘Memorial’. The organisation covers current developments in the Caucasus region and employs a network of local correspondents. It is well known for its courageous reporting on human rights abuses, including those committed by Chechen authorities.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Russian Federation have been subjected to acts of harassment, surveillance, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, violent attacks, raids and searches on their offices and homes, slander and smear campaigns, judicial harassment, arbitrary detention and ill-treatment.
Among the HRDs who are particularly at risk are those involved on issues such as election monitoring, the situation in the North Caucasus (particularly Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan), xenophobia and nationalism, and LGBTI rights. Environmental rights defenders have been particularly exposed to physical and verbal attacks in recent years. Those expressing criticism of the authorities or attempting to organise protests are also routinely targeted.
