His Excellency Carlo Krieger

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH 350 Fifth Ave, 34th Floor New York, NY 10118 Phone: 212.290.4700 Fax: 212.736.1300 March 23, 2005 [email protected]

EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA DIVISION Rachel Denber His Excellency Carlo Krieger ActingExecutive Director Veronika L. Szente Goldston Ambassador of Luxembourg to the Russian Federation Advocacy Director Benjamin Ward Embassy of Luxembourg Special Counsel Alexander Petrov Khruschevsky Per.3 Deputy Director, Moscow Office Julia Hall Moscow 119034, Russia Diederik Lohman Acacia Shields Senior Researchers Matilda Bogner Allison Gill Via facsimile: +7-095-786-66-69 Bogdan Ivanisevic Jonathan Sugden Research Associates Kristina Alessi Liudmila Belova Carlo Boehm Your Excellency, Victoria Elman Anna Sinelnikova Associates I am writing to you to seek your support for three staff members of the Sakharov Museum who STEERING COMMITTEE Peter Osnos are on trial for organizing an art exhibit, “Caution Religion!” Yuri Samodurov, director of the Chair Alice H. Henkin Sakharov Museum, Lyudmila Vasilovskaya, the exhibition curator, and Anna Mikhalchuk, a Vice Chair Henri Barkey contributing artist face prison sentences for “inciting religious hatred” after the exhibit, which Stephen Del Rosso opened in January 2003, was found objectionable by the Russian Orthodox Church. We ask that Barbara Finberg Felice Gaer the Luxembourg embassy send a representative to the reading of the verdict at Taganskaya City Michael Gellert Paul Goble Court on March 28. We also urge that the Luxembourg embassy, together with its EU partners, Stanley Hoffmann Jeri Laber immediately demarche the Russian government on behalf of Mr. Samodurov, Ms. Vasilovskaya Walter Link Michael McFaul and Ms. Mikhalchuk, expressing concern about the case’s implications for freedom of Sarah E. Mendelson Karl Meyer expression in Russia. Joel Motley Herbert Okun Jane Olson As you may know, the January 2003 exhibition “Caution, Religion!” contained a number of Hannah Pakula Kathleen Peratis thought-provoking works of art about the role of religion in Russian society. Just four days after Barnett Rubin Colette Shulman its opening, a group of Russian Orthodox believers wrecked the exhibition. Charges of Leon Sigal Malcolm Smith vandalism filed by the Museum were soon dropped amid strong political pressure on the George Soros Marco Stoffel prosecutor’s office to investigate the allegedly blasphemous nature of the artworks on display. Ruti Teitel Mark von Hagen Patricia M. Wald On June 16, 2004, in an unexpected reversal of events, the organizers of the exhibition were Mark Walton William D. Zabel charged with inciting religious hatred and offending the feelings of religious believers under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code. If convicted, Mr. Samodurov may face a maximum HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Kenneth Roth of three years imprisonment. His codefendants may face up to two years imprisonment. Executive Director Allison Adoradio Operations Director That individuals and groups have found this exhibit offensive does not detract from the fact that Michele Alexander Development & Outreach Director it is protected speech under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Carroll Bogert Associate Director European Convention on Human Rights. The Constitution of the Russian Federation prohibits Widney Brown Deputy Program Director censorship and provides for freedom of artistic and other forms of creative activity. Peggy Hicks Global Advocacy Director Iain Levine Program Director As you are probably well aware, since its inception in 1996 the Sakharov Museum has worked Dinah PoKempner tirelessly to promote tolerance and encourage critical examination of contemporary issues General Counsel James Ross through its permanent exhibition on Soviet repression, as well as through temporary exhibitions Senior Legal Advisor Joe Saunders and lectures on Chechnya and other important issues. We at Human Rights Watch have high Deputy Program Director Wilder Tayler regard for the work of the museum and for Mr. Samodurov. Legal and Policy Director Joanna Weschler UN Representative Jane Olson The trial of Samodurov and his colleagues is taking place amid broader restrictions on freedom Chair, Board of Directors of expression in Russia. It is a case in which a widespread expression of concern by the international community can made a difference in the lives of three people and at the same time help to reverse the chilling effect this trial has had on freedom of expression. I hope we can count on your support.

BRUSSELS GENEVA LONDON LOS ANGELES MOSCOW NEW YORK SAN FRANCISCO TORONTO WASHINGTON My colleagues in the Human Rights Watch Moscow office would be eager provide you with more detailed information regarding the case. Please do not hesitate to contact them at (095) 737- 89-55.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Denber Acting Executive Director Europe and Central Asia division