без подложкиподблоком Варианты использованиянабе лог о лом фоне, есть Варианты использованиянацветном/пестромфоне: бе лая общаяподложка те черном /т Варианты использованиянаоднородном кст бе лый емном фоне:подложкинет ,

2019 Варианты использования на белом фоне, Варианты использования на цветном/пестром фоне: Варианты использования на однородном без подложки под блоком лого есть белая общая подложка черном /темном фоне: подложки нет, текст белый

Illustrated by Ezra W. Smith CONTENT

Greetings 4 CHARITABLE Mission and values 6 PROGRAMS: Main areas of our work 8 Refugees 16 Committee structure 10 The stateless 20 Board members 11 Labor migrants 22 Main numbers of the year 12 Victims of hate crime 24 Finance report 13 Help to prisoners Analytical work 14 from the North Caucasus Republics 26 Access to education 28 Integration courses 30

Medical aid 32 Psychological counseling 33 Humanitarian aid 34 Partnership 35 Sponsors 36 Private donations 36 Support of mass media 37

In the photo - Mohamed. His parents approached the Civic Assistance Committee Our volunteers 38 when they faced challenges while getting him into school. Mohamed started to attend the Committee's Integration Center for Syrian refugee children. The organization’s experts Public events 40 also helped his parents to collect documents necessary for school enrollment. *Photo of Mohamed by Vladimir Averin for “Takie Dela” How to help 41 4 COMMITTEE REPORT // GREETINGS

DE AR FRIENDS!

has brought us 2019 many victories, no doubt due to efforts of not only our staff, but also donors, volunteers, and followers. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide legal, psychological, medical and humanitarian aid to refugees and migrants from different countries.

Svetlana Gannushkina, Chairman of the Committee. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 5

We would like to acknowledge the asylum system within Russia and work of the lawyers of the Memorial world-wide. We also organized two Human Rights Centre, who work music parties in “Rovesnik” bar, where closely in connection with migration refugees played their favorite music consultants of the Civic Assistance while people danced. Committee. Together, we won many Our volunteers helped us accompany important landmark cases in the refugees to the migration authorities DE AR European Court. and courts, interpreting In 2019, we were interviews and court approached by OUR VOLUNTEERS HELPED US hearings, translating FRIENDS! several Chechen girls TO ACCOMPANY REFUGEES TO our reports and much who were forced THE MIGRATION AUTHORITIES more. to flee their homes AND COURTS, INTERPRETING All year round, our because of abuse INTERVIEWS AND COURT HEARINGS, Integration Center in from their relatives. TRANSLATING OUR REPORTS Noginsk was working Unfortunately, young AND MUCH MORE. with Syrian children. Chechnian girls not This summer, our ordinarily ask for lawyers and the Syrian help from law enforcement agencies project coordinator made sure that because those agencies typically do most of these children were admitted not want to meddle in family matters. into school. Thankfully, we were able to help them Unfortunately, there is much because of our cooperation with resistance with education authorities Tatyana Moskalkova, the Commissioner with admitting students into school for Human Rights in the Russian even though education is one of Federation and Tatyana Potyaeva, the the most important influences that Commissioner for Human Rights in a country can exert on the people living Moscow. in it. In 2019, we organized various meetings, round table discussions, Svetlana Gannushkina, and lectures on migration issues and Chairman of the Committee 6 COMMITTEE REPORT // OUR WORKT

MISSION AND VALUES

The Civic Assistance Committee is a group of people who care and believe that regardless of the circumstances, all people should retain the right to live, study, work and receive medical care.

Protest on Red Square in memory of the human rights activist Natalia Yestemirova. Svetlana Gannushkina with a sign that reads "Yestemirova's murders are still not found". CIVIC ASSISTANCE 7

We sincerely believe that the most Humankind will not be saved by important task of our society is to help the latest technology or scientific and support those who are in a difficult advances. Humankind will be saved by situation. After all, that is the essence humanity. And if you think and feel the of humanism. Do not turn away from same — ​join us! those who are in trouble. Do not make a difference between people on any ground. Ensure that Maxim Gorky’s famous phrase “A human being - it sounds proudly!” does not lose its meaning and relevance.

The team of the Civic Assistance Committee by the court-house where refusal of asylum to Naser Nahim was considered. (In the photo Afghan Naser Nahim, who is a Dari translator holding his son). With the support of the Committee, Naser has eventually obtained temporary asylum. 8 COMMITTEE REPORT // OUR WORK

MAIN AREAS OF OUR WORK

hile it is difficult to estimate the scope of support that is needed by those who W approach us, here are the most impor- tant areas highlighted:

Counseling for those applying for refugee sta- tus, temporary asylum, permanent residency, temporary residence permits, counseling on obtaining citizenship, social, medical aid, etc. Often asylum seekers are confused, disoriented and do not know who to approach, and what Svetlana Gannushkina and Afghani refugee Sadat. Supporters of the to do. Committee helped raise money for refugee treatment. Thanks! Chemotherapy helped, cancer is receding. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 9

Svetlana Gannushkina is in the room which the Committee calls the"project", speaking with the press secretary Lera (left) and volunteer Zeynep (right)

We represent the interests of refugees, Students of the Russian migrant workers and the stateless in court, and language courses, how happy to help to protect their legal rights. see our students enjoying it!

Humanitarian aid. Often people in distress Medical and psychological aid. The vast are left with nothing; neither clothing nor majority of migrants do not have access to free hygienic items. And our task is to provide them health care. Almost all of them are also in need with the essentials. of psychological counseling in order to survive their traumatic situations and return to normal Assistance in educating refugee children and life. adult migrants. Unfortunately, not every child has an opportunity to attend Russian compre- Overcoming the negative attitude of socie- hensive school, and we try to ensure that all ty towards migrants. We try and raise aware- children are able to attend school. Yet there is ness that the migrants and refugees become another problem; those who started Russian victims of these terrible circumstances, and it school are in need of help with their studies. is not their faults. We should treat them with We are also able provide this support. compassion and understanding. 10 COMMITTEE REPORT // OUR WORK COMMITTEE STRUCTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 51 PEOPLE Coordinator MANAGEMENT BOARD: 8 PEOPLE Aids PROGRAM COORDINATOR

PRESIDENT: LAWYERS

HEAD OF THE COUNSELING Therapist CHIEF OFFICE (VICE-PRESIDENT) ACCOUNTANT PR manager Psychologist Migration Assistant SMM Accountant consultants specialist Press secretary ADMINISTRATOR

Courier Fundraiser Translators VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Security Storage staff staff Volunteers Cleaner IT specialist Analyst CIVIC ASSISTANCE 11 BOARD MEMBERS

Svetlana Gannushkina Laila Rogozina Elena Burtina Karina Kotova President of Civic Head of the counseling Coordinator of Assistance Coordinator of Integration Assistance Committee office of Civic Assistance to the Stateless project of project of Civic Assistance Committee Civic Assistance Committee Committee

Natalia Gontsova Varvara Tretyak Anastasya Denisova Olga Chmurova Volunteer of Civic Coordinator for the Coordinator for Amnesty Lawyer Assistance Committee Committee's charity International programs 12 COMMITTEE REPORT // OUR WORK MAIN NUMBERS OF THE YEAR

WE PROVIDED ADULTS WE GRANTED studied Russian with us 3194 451 40 for free legal consultations cash allowances CHILDREN in the amount of attended classes at the Children's 1 862 159 rubles Integration 52 Center

1144 WE PROVIDED PEOPLE received personal belongings 1493 medical consultations CIVIC ASSISTANCE 13 FINANCE REPORT EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR 2019:

TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR: 47,5 MILLION RUBLES

SOCIAL RECEPTIONS 1313%% СОЦИАЛЬНЫЙ ПРИЁМ 12% 12% ЮРИДИЧЕСКАЯLEGAL AID ПОМОЩЬ СВЯЗИPUBLIC С ОБЩЕСТВЕННОСТЬЮ RELATIONS СЕМИНАРЫ,SEMINARS КANDОНФЕРЕНЦИИ CONFERENCES 11%11% РАБОТАWORK С WITH ВОЛОНТЁРАМИ VOLUNTEERS АДМИНИСТРАТИВНЫЕADMINISTRATIVE COSTS РАСХОДЫ ИНТЕГРАЦИОННАЯONLINE HELP ПОМОЩЬ ГУHUMANITARIANМАНИТАРНАЯ ПОМОЩ ASSISTANCEЬ 40% 9%9% АНАЛИТИЧЕСКАЯANALYTICAL WORK РАБОТА

EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN: 6%6% 4%4% EXPENDITURE RUBLES 2%3%3% 2% 1 Administration 6 264 574

2 Social Counseling 18 958 433

3 Legal aid 5 642 940 This data on costs is 4 Humanitarian aid 2 743 233 from 01/01/2019 to 12/31/2019 5 Integration program 5 232 064 6 Analytical work 1 413 936 More information can be found 7 Work with volunteers 833 864 of the Ministry of Justice website 8 Public Relations 4 510 934 9 Workshops and conferences 1 909 090

TOTAL 47 509 069 14 COMMITTEE REPORT // OUR WORK ANALYTICAL WORK

reparing analytical materials is were forced to leave their homes. an important part of our work. We analyze data on refugee status Russian authorities’ websites and temporary asylums granted, P publish scarce data on the monitor court hearings on expulsion institution of asylum and refugees in of foreign citizens from Russia and the country. We strive to make public share judicial statistics, and prepare the information on deplorable and reports of children with access to degrading situation of people who education. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 15

In 2019, the Committee also participated in writing a large international report about the refugees from Syria. Unfortunately, the data for Russia is upsetting: during 2018, Russian state migration service almost did not grant asylum to Syrian citizens, and those who had received it before were not allowed to renew the docu- ment. In their decisions, officials wrote that Syrian cit- izens generally “had no obstacles to return”. Sadly, the Russian state migration service was not interested in the fact that the situation in the country was still very The Committee’s dangerous, and, in 2018, the largest number of children analyst was killed in Syria since the outbreak of the war. Konstantin Troitskiy 16 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS REFUGEES

nfortunately, 2019 was of people with refugee status had not marked by significant decreased by 85 people, and there changes with regards to were only 487 refugees across the Urefugees’ human rights. They vast territory of Russia now. The continue to face restrictions on number of holders of temporary access to asylum, non-compliance asylum also decreased — ​almost with the procedure, and unjustified twice as compared to last year. rejections of asylum. Sadly, in 2019, a new abysmal record was set: THE NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF TEMPORARY only 23 people were ASYLUM ALSO DECREASED — ​ALMOST TWICE recognized as refugees. Over the year, the number AS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR CHARITABLE PROGRAMS CHARITABLE CIVIC ASSISTANCE 17

English, and Russian). THE COMMITTEE’S COUNSELING OFFICE Afghan refugee Mirvais with a Work was also carried temporary assume certificate. He is one of 543 lucky people in Russia who CONTINUED ITS WORK THREE DAYS A WEEK, out with victims of was able to receive this document. sexual violence, as well Thanks to the lawyers of the PROVIDING COUNSELING OF REFUGEES Committee! a with unaccompanied children. In total, more In 2019, the Committee’s than two thousand counseling office continued its consultations were provided on work three days a week, providing the matters of applying for asylum, counseling of refugees by lawyers obtaining citizenship, residence and migration consultants in five permit, deportation, employment, languages (Arabic, Farsi, French, etc.

REFUGEE STATUS TEMPORARY ASYLUM SEEKERS People for People for January 1, For October 1, For January 1, January 1, For October 1, For January 1, 2020 2019 2019 2020 2019 2019 Total 487 519 572 41946 52483 76825 Azerbaidzhan 7 7 7 11 12 5 Afghanistan 252 264 305 543 513 484 Georgia 27 28 31 120 116 124 Qazaqstan 2 2 2 10 10 8 Kyrgyzstan 3 3 3 29 21 17 Syria 2 2 2 591 626 826 Tajikistan 6 6 6 34 34 19 Turkmenistan - - - 12 9 7 Uzbekistan 17 20 19 44 45 51 Ukraine 119 137 140 40274 50836 75006 OTHER COUNTRIES 52 50 57 278 261 278

18 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS / REFUGEES

I, like all people on earth, do not know what will happen" to me in my future — perhaps they will deport me back to my homeland, to Yemen, where there is a war, and I will have to fight. Anything can happen, but what can I do? In Russia, there are these laws, and no one can help me with them... Despite it all, I am happy right now. I have a roof over my head, and food. This is enough. I like Moscow, and I like the people. Sayed, Yemen " (Meduza, “Russia is different from Cameroon. There is corruption everywhere there, and the president has been in power for many years.” 23.05.2019) CIVIC ASSISTANCE 19

First difficulties I ran into were at the airport – nobody was "speaking English. I could not understand how to make it to the city. Finally, a man helped me and took me to a hotel he knew. I paid 500 rubles for taxi and 2500 for a night in the hotel. I realized that soon I would run out of money, and went to the police. For some reason I thought that the authorities should know who I was and why I came to Russia. But the police just gave me the address of Civic Assistance Committee, where I met a guy from Lebanon who told me that many Africans stayed in the area by Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard metro station. I went there and saw a football field with a lot of black guys playing. Yusuf, Gambia " 20 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

THE STATELESS

n 2019, we continued to help the Despite the fact that in terms stateless to obtain legal status of cooperation with authorities in the Russian Federation. Most the year 2019 was the worst in the I stateless people are elderly, ill history of the Committee; with our or single, and some of them are help, 23 people received Russian even homeless. They often fail to passports, one person received a overcome various bureaucratic temporary residence permit, and Our ward Konstantin Vorobyov, native of the Russian Federation. hurdles on the way to receiving three received a residence permit. For years, he fought for a Russian Russian passport without outside passport instead of the Soviet one, but died at the age of 79 still help. Some simply do not live long waiting for one. enough to obtain the passport. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 21

Policemen took away my Soviet passport. I was taking my daughter to school when" a police car stopped me in Nakhabino. They took my passport as security and sent me to get money in order to pay a fine. Yet they never returned my document to me, only a certificate that my Soviet passport was discarded. This is how I became a stateless person, the only one in the family. My wife is an Armenian from Baku; until 2001, she had had a supplementary document of citizenship in her Soviet passport, and then they took it away and replaced it with a new standard Russian passport. Our daughter was granted citizenship automatically like her mother. I felt ashamed that my child had a passport and her dad had no document. Sometimes in school, children were requested to bring copies of their parents’ documents. My daughter would say that her dad did not have a passport yet but would soon receive it. That was our life. Vazgen Assiryan, Nagorny Karabakh " (The website of Civic Assistance Committee. “I felt ashamed that my child had a passport and her dad had no document.” 23.10.2019) 22 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

LABOR MIGRANTS

n 2019, we provided compre- the total number of legal and social hensive assistance to 244 labor consultations for the year was 704. migrants. All of them faced Most often, they approached us Iunconcern of state bodies and for assistance in dealing with their gross human rights’ violation. We employer's refusal to sign a labor helped people to understand the contract and pay salaries. Very situation, provided financial, med- often, there were also instances ical and psychological aid. We also about illegal seizure of documents, Volunteers and employees of the helped to advocated their interests, and restriction of liberty, and even Committee are showing on a map including applying to supervisory forced labor. We believe that any where their grandparents and great grandparents are from. We are all authorities and law enforcement work should be paid in full - and we migrants! agencies, holding negotiations, fight all social and moral injustices and providing legal support. Thus, in this matter. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 23

Certainly, the situation of migrants in Russia is rather lousy, although" we could say that there are some positive changes. At least, there is understanding that Russia will not do without migration and certain areas are covered by this particular workforce. As far as I understand, Russia now raises an issue of joining the International Organization for Migration. And that would be very important, because then we enter the system of international relations and should be at their level. So far, we were present there only as observers, and now it seems that the matter is under serious discussions. Then, perhaps, we will sign the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which requires the country and its each citizen to treat a migrant with humanity and with respect for his human dignity and, by all means, for human rights. I take it as a step forward. If we do it, we could expect improvements.

Svetlana Gannushkina, President of Civic Assistance Committee "

(Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty. “A person has a right. Migrants in Russia.” 17.12.2019) 24 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS VICTIMS OF HATE CRIME

elping Victims of Hate Attacks is a project to support migrants who H have suffered at the hands of nationalists. Very often, such crimes are hushed up in mass media and are not covered by judicial statistics since the motive of national animosity is officially acknowledged very seldomly. Concealment of hate crimes against migrants makes it impossible to trace In total, throughout 2019, applicants was the beating of racism. Our mission is to help the Committee provided 70 a Tajik citizen by an employee the abused people to cope consultations to victims of of a Magnit supermarket. with the consequences of the nationalism. The most high- The saleswoman blamed attack, and to obtain justice. profile case among new the female migrant of “all

Blogger Sasha Tajiks being thieves,” and Masskva from hit her head several times Tajikistan, who was beaten in Moscow in with a barcode scanner. Civic the end of 2018. Assistance Committee’s lawyer Thanks to a lawyer from the Committee, represented the victim’s the attacker was interests in law enforcement found guilty. bodies and in court. As a result, the employee of Magnit was found guilty under the article on beatings and fined. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 25

Only" in hospital, I realized in some time that I was paralyzed. It was a shock for me. I could not believe that. Then I talked to my doctor, and he gave 90% that I would never stand up again. I thought that was the end: my life stopped, ended.

Alexander Lee, a migrant from Uzbekistan "

(The website of Civic Assistance Committee. “Only in hospital, I realized that I was paralyzed.” 16.01.2019) 26 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

HELP TO PRISONERS FROM THE NORTH CAUCASUS REPUBLICS elp to prisoners from the and ethnic harassment, and the North Caucasus Republics failure to provide medical care. is one of the areas of the Appeals are made not only by HCommittee’s work we don’t victims themselves, but often by often share in mass media not to their relatives. harm those who approached us for Without our help, cases that help. However, the project is very are contrary to the law and ethical active. standards would be hushed up, Most of the time, prisoners but now instead are referred for complain of ill-treatment, unrea- consideration to relevant author- sonable punishment, religious ities. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 27

A. told the lawyer that prison colony employees" forced him to be their informant. In no uncertain terms, they tell him that if he does not inform the staff about other convicts, he will “rot” in the punishment cell. Despite the threats of ill-treatment and worsening of conditions of detention, A. refuses to cooperate. According to the prisoner, this is the main reason why he is prosecuted and punished by constant disciplinary sanctions imposed.

Photo of Oyub Titiev, Coordinator of the project" for help to prisoners from the North Caucasus Republics.

(The website of Civic Assistance Committee. “A disciplinary cell instead of medical aid.” 24.12.2019) 28 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

shortages in kindergartens, in reality, only those who have a residence registration in Moscow have priority access to kindergartens. Those with temporary registration have to be on the waiting list. In this regard, in 2019, we have also been dealing with the problems of getting children into preschool. We continuously support children who were admitted to school, but experience difficulties with learning. The ACCESS volunteers helped 20 children to study Russian and other subjects of school curriculum TO EDUCATION at home. We continue participating in n 2019, we helped 45 We have spent several years judicial proceedings on existing families gain access to lodging complaints to the lawsuits related to access to school education. After Department of Education education, and started active I the Committee’s help, 35 because refusal for this rea- work on two new cases. children from Afghanistan, son is in fact illegal. Angola, Syria, Congo, Russia The more unfortunate and other countries were able situation with not having to start school. The reason they access to education is within were originally not admitted the preschool institutions. to the schools was because Although Moscow’s authorities their parents could not provide claim that they have long registration information. ago resolved the problem of CIVIC ASSISTANCE 29

Mohamed’s parents feared that the boy would not be admitted" to school, as it often happens with refugee children. From some people, the family learned about “Right to Education” program of Civic Assistance Committee, which helps refugee children to receive education. For several months, Mohamed attended the Committee’s Centre, he started learning Russian, memorizing Russian words, had some understanding of school routine and curriculum. Also the family was assisted with collecting necessary documents and admittance to school. Thus, Mohamed received an opportunity to start regular school, he wanted to attend.

Mohamed, Syria

(Takie Dela, "All dreams were destroyed " at once." 06.11.2019) 30 COMMITTEE REPORT // CHARITABLE PROGRAMS INTEGRATION COURSES

could attend classes. We arranged holidays for our students; celebrating New Years, Pancake week, and birthdays. Volunteers organized a master class in drawing, and arranged a visit to the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and Kolomenskoye Art and Architectural Museum- Reserve for introduction to the historical and cultural heritage of Russia. In 2019, we also had integration classes for 52 children of Syrian refugees. Classes held ntegration courses for refugees and at the Center were Russian, mathematics, migrants are a foundation for fulfilling life in Arabic, drawing, basics of geography and his- a new country. In 2019, 40 participants from tory for children of different ages. For refugees’ I18 countries attended our classes for adults. children, access to secondary school is often They were learning Russian in order to be able illegally banned, and the Integration Center of to communicate freely, found out more about Civic Assistance Committee for many of them their rights, and discussed problems that each is the only way to receive knowledge and have of them consistently faced. a community. The Committee’s staff and volun- Students were provided with all necessary teers also organize visits to Moscow museums, material, as well as travel cards, so that they city tours and creative workshops for children. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 31

Fifteen" years ago, I followed my husband and moved to Moscow. At first I didn’t like it here; I understood nothing, because I did not know the language. I often suffered from headache, did not feel like doing much. Doctors said stress was to blame. To get out of that state, I decided to find some occupation and began to attend Russian course at the Centre of Civic Assistance Committee. As a result of learning Russian, I found an excellent job. And before that even McDonald’s would not employ me because of my poor Russian. Now I am a professional beautician.

Khalida, Afghanistan

(Moskvich Mag, "For some reason, people" in Moscow think that all the Tadjiks wear orange vests." 16.05.2019) 32 COMMITTEE REPORT // МЫ ПОМОГАЕМ MEDICAL AID

were citizens of Afghanistan, the DRC, Syria, Ukraine and Nigeria. All of them received help for musculoskeletal system disorders, heart diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. Free health care in our country becomes less accessible, and although we strive to make the most of its last residues, we often have to find considerable funds for medical treatment of our clients. A significant contribution to our health care in 2019 was made by private donations - their total amount was 344,465 rubles. Thanks to this financial support, we managed to give hope to many people. For example, we were able to

Volunteer Sasha ften refugees and migrants do not afford botulinotherapy for a refugee helps refugee Flor from have access to the most needed from Yemen with torticollis. Another Congo (DRC) with medical check-up in Omedical treatment and medicine. example of our help is a woman from hospital. Thus, our task is to help them to sustain Afghanistan who suffered from cancer; a healthy life. we provided her with consultations The Civic Assistance Committee from a radiologist and admission to provides counseling by a doctor three hospital. We were also able to help times a week. In total, in 2019, the doctor a refugee from Syria with a dentist consulted 1493 patients. Among them consultation. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 33 MEDICAL AID PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING

sychological assistance to refu- gees and migrants is the basis for Pa successful integration and stress coping. Often people are disoriented, scared and do not know how to live on. They are in need of support, under- standing and creating new life guide- lines. In total, in 2019, 32 people from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Cameroon, Congo, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Syria asked us for psycho- logical support, both on an ongoing basis and for one-time consultation. Psychological aid was provided not only in person, but also by telephone. Nine applicants were referred to a psychiatrist for professional help and received treatment.

The Committee psychologists often become the one person that the refugees can truly trust and are not afraid to be open with. 34 COMMITTEE REPORT // МЫ ПОМОГАЕМ

HUMANITARIAN AID

umanitarian aid to refugees self-confidence and be of value to and migrants organized by somebody. H the Committee is an oppor- In 2019, the Committee accept- tunity for all those who care to ed things like toys, food products, show sympathy, compassion and and hygiene items as donations understanding. It is not only the from everyone. It also worked in provision of necessary things like cooperation with the Health and clothes, hygienic, and household Life Charitable Foundation, which items, it is also a gesture of solidar- allocated funds for purchase of ity, which is so important for peo- winter clothes for children of Syrian ple in distress in order to build their refugees. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 35 PARTNERSHIP Partnership is possible though participation in the Committee’s activities of all com- panies, foundations and organizations that share our values and ideas. It is their support that for many years in a row allowed us not to give up and be constantly aware of how great and important the work we do, no matter how hard it is. We do it together, and it inspires strong belief in success. AMONG OUR CARING LIKEMINDED PEOPLE ARE:

Memorial Human Rights Centre SOVA Centre for Information and Analysis Sakharov Centre Committee Against Torture Charitable Foundation “Help Needed” ToDoGood Social Changes Platform SafeHouse Foundation Mercy Orthodox Relief Service Ferghana House Cultural Centre Moscow School of Human Rights Moscow Ekaterininsky Park Charity Shop Vtoroye Dykhaniye Charity Fund KPMG 36 COMMITTEE REPORT //ПОМОЩЬ КОМИТЕТУ

SPONSORS:

UNHCR Amnesty International Secours Catholique Norwegian Helsinki Committee German Evangelical Church Embassy of France Embassy of Sweden Heinrich Böll Foundation European Commission PRIVATE DONATIONS

rivate donations are an important part of our society. And we are pleased to see that P more and more people are eager to help. Thanks to private donations, the most diverse areas of our activities are implemented: fund raising for expensive operations, purchas- ing medicine, transport cards, food, school supplies and other items that our clients are deprived of. Private donations are an integral reinforcement of our work that strengthens the belief that we do the right thing. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 37 SUPPORT OF MASS MEDIA

he first step in solving any problem is to make it known. In 2019, references to the Committee in the media reached several thou- T sand. Materials on human rights, refugees’ and migrants’ issues, stories of our applicants and comments of Committee’s experts were published in mass media and online publications and prepared for radio and TV. In social networks FB, Instagram and Vkontakte we regularly posted information about the organization’s work, shared refugees’ stories and announced Committee’s events. 38 COMMITTEE REPORT OUR VOLUNTEERS OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AN AMAZING ADDITION TO THE COMMITTEE. THESE PEOPLE SACRIFICE THEIR PERSONAL TIME TO SERVE THOSE WHO NEED HELP AND SUPPORT.

14- year- old artist Ferdavs (in the centre), volunteers and employees of the Committee, who helped the teenager from a refugee family to host his own personal exhibition. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 39

The volunteers from the Committee often meet together in their free time to exchange ideas, hang out and swap ideas, or cook something tasty together.

This Russian meal was a present for the birthday of one of the refugees Samira from Afghanistan, and it was made by our volunteer Nastya.

n 2019, volunteers continued to help migrants Another volunteer Nastya made an and refugees in all possible areas, from unforgettable birthday for Samir, who she Iaccompanying them to various authorities, taught Russian. Together with her mother, she to translating documents. They conducted prepared a dozen dishes of Russian cuisine for Russian lessons, helped with homework and the boy’s lunch, and Nastya invented a special played with children, and helped adults with guessing game for him and a trip to the movie paperwork and household issues. They stayed at the end of the day. in contact, offering moral and psychological support, trying to debunk the ideas of people in distress that the world was hostile towards them. It seems that often the main thing a person needs is another person. For example, while helping 14-year-old refugee from Afghanistan Ferdavs, our volunteer Lera noticed his talent of an artist. She told us about this and offered to organize a display of Ferdavs' works. And we have done it together! 40 COMMITTEE REPORT

A party with refugees as DJs in “Rovesnik” bar

"Live Library" Meetup at the Baymanskaya Garden with refugees from many countries.

PUBLIC Children of the Committee’s applicants and Svetlana Gannushkina during the celebration EVENTS of World Refugee Day.

ll our events could be conditionally Svetlana Gannushkina and divided into educational, intercultural Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and integration ones. We give lectures at the RF Deputy Defence A Minister (bottom), universities, host discussion panels, and hold lawyer Rosa Library of Lives where refugees talk about their Magomegova, head of the counselling life. We organize press conferences, as well as office Laila Rogozina, children's parties. In 2019, we tried a new format and lawyer Phillip Shishov (from left and invited refugees to act as DJs at a youth to right) at Civic party in “Rovesnik” bar. Assistance Committee. In 2019, we focused more on events for vol- unteers, including hosting master classes, train- ings, and introductory meetings for them. CIVIC ASSISTANCE 41 HOW TO HELP WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN FOR PARTNERSHIP, LOOKING FOR NEW VOL- UNTEERS, AND ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE FOOD, MEDICINE, HYGIENIC ITEMS, FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHES FOR OUR APPLICANTS.

You can also support Civic Assistance Name of beneficiary: Committee’s applicants by signing up for Regional Non-Governmental Charitable Organization for Help to Refugees and Migrants “Civic Assistance” a regular donation on the Committee’s TIN of the beneficiary: 7708037113 website in How to Help section. RRC of the beneficiary: 770201001

Or transfer money to the organiza- Account number of the beneficiary: 40703810338320100413 tion’s account. Name of beneficiary: Bank Name: SBERBANK Moscow Regional Non-Governmental Charitable BIC: 044525225 Organization for Help to Refugees and Corresponding bank account number: 30101810400000000225 Migrants “Civic Assistance”. Purpose of payment: Donation for charitable activity Варианты использования на белом фоне, Варианты использования на цветном/пестром фоне: Варианты использования на однородном без подложки под блоком лого есть белая общая подложка черном /темном фоне: подложки нет, текст белый

Regional Public Charitable Organization for Help to Refugees and Migrants “Civic Assistance Committee”

129110, Moscow, Olimpiyskiy prospect, # 22 www.refugee.ru REPORT 2019

EDITOR: DARYA MANINA | PROOFREADER: VERA GETSEN | LAYOUT AND DESIGN: ILYA DILIAGO | ILLUSTRATIONS: EZRA W. STMITH PHOTOS BY: VLADIMIR AVERIN, TAKIE DELA | KSENIA BELOLUTSKAYA | MARIA VASILIYEVA | GRIGORIY SYSOYEV ANASTASIA DARIENKO | POLINA TROSHITSEVA | VLAD DOKSHIN, NOVAYA GAZETA | VICTORIA ODISSONOVA, |NOVAYA GAZETA DENIS BOCHKAREV | ANNA GOROVETS | SVETLANA VIDANOVA | VYACHESLAV ZAMYSLOV | ELENA SRAPYAN | SEMYON KATS, "MEDUZA"

Many thanks to Svetlana Gannushkina, Elena Burtina, Valeria Pavlova and the whole team of Civic Assistance Committee for help with the report.

On April 20, 2015 Ministry of Justice put Civic Assistance Committee on the list of organizations “acting as a foreign agent”.