June 2020 INCREASED CONFLICT, CONTINUING PRESSURE STATUS OF RUSSIA’S FOREIGN AGENT LAWS AND CONSEQUENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS

STATUS REPORT 2019

Novokuznetsk, 2017. Photo: Anton Lementuev Russian Social-Ecologial Union Naturvernforbundet www.rusecounion.ru Mariboes gate 8 0183 Oslo Telefon: +47 23 10 96 10 E-post: [email protected] www.naturvernforbundet.no INCREASED CONFLICT, CONTINUING PRESSURE STATUS OF RUSSIA’S FOREIGN AGENT LAWS AND CONSEQUEN- CES FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS

PUBLISHED BY: RUSSIAN SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL UNION/ FRIENDS OF THE EARTH RUSSIA NATURVERNFORBUNDET/ FRIENDS OF THE EARTH NORWAY

■ St. Petersburg/Oslo, June 2020

Written by Vitaly Servetnik, Russian Social-Ecological Union/ Friends of the Earth Russia and Kjersti Album, Naturvernforbundet/ Friends of the Earth Norway

Language editing by Aled D Fisher Design by Kristian S. Aas Photos by Russian Social-Ecological Union and Naturvernforbundet TABLE OF CONTENT

Preface 4 Summary 5 Introduction 7 Background 9 Development of the law on foreign agents in 2019 11 Development of the Law on Undesirable organi­zations in 2019 15 Mobilization on environmental issues 17 Authorities’ reactions to environmental protests 21 Other pressures on environmental activists 25 Conclusion 31 Recommendations 32 Tables 34

Status report 2019 3 PREFACE:

The Russian Social-Ecological Union (RSEU)/ sed and democratic, and consists of over 31,000 Friends of the Earth Russia is a non-governmen- members divided between approximately 100 tal, non-profit and member-based democratic local groups across the country, working to solve organization, established in 1992. RSEU brings environmental issues both locally and globally. together public organizations and active citizens Naturvernforbundet/Friends of the Earth from all regions of Russia. All RSEU activities – Norway has over many years worked closely programs and projects, actions and campaigns with Russian environmental organizations. The – are aimed at nature conservation, protection cooperation has been helpful for both sides on of health and the wellbeing of people in Rus- a wide range of environmental topics. The work sia and around the world. RSEU members act has all the time faced challenges from regu- together for nature conservation, for sustainable lations on the Russian side, but the situation development of Russia and the planet. In 2014, deteriorated significantly with the Foreign Agent RSEU became the Russian member of Friends of NGO laws that were approved in the Russian the Earth. parliament and by the president in 2012. Es- In Russia, activists, groups and organizations pecially since 2015 and onwards, the time and fighting for environment and human rights often resources spent to cope with constantly growing face severe consequences of their work. Per- demands and pressure from the authorities have secution and pressure come in different forms increased in our partner organizations. from the state, from private businesses and from For several years, Naturvernforbundet and its individuals. Supporting activists, groups and Russian partners have published status reports organizations has therefore a prominent place in on the conditions for civil society in general and RSEU’s work. how it affects environmental organizations. All Founded in 1914, Naturvernforbundet/Fri- reports and updates are available at www.natur- ends of the Earth Norway is Norway›s oldest vernforbundet.no/civilsocietyreports and http:// environmental and nature conservation organi- rusecounion.ru/civilsocietyreports zation. Naturvernforbundet is membership-ba-

4 Status report 2019 SUMMARY

Russian environmental activists, called environ- Environmental activists also experienced mental human rights defenders (EHRDs) by the financial pressure: countless fines draining UN, as well as other civil society groups, conti- resources from organizations, activists and mo- nue to face difficulties and limitations in their vements, at the same time warning protestors important work. Russian authorities have not to stay away from joining next time. Companies’ withdrawn the laws on “Foreign agents”, and the legal claims for damages for loss of profits from pressure towards activists continues and even protestors are a new form of pressure to silence increases. environmental defenders. Among the most notable developments in As written in our previous reports, the pressu- 2019 was the increased attention environmental re on NGOs has also moved towards oppression issues received in Russia, especially waste issues. of individuals. 2019 has shown this even more Remaining and even worsened environmental clearly: the authorities target angry and politi- and social issues became visible for people. cized local activists – the state wants to stop the Many wanted to know more, to participate more spread of activism. in decision-making and, though impossible, they The law on individual foreign agents went into saw the need to protest more. People in many force in 2019, after being on hold for almost two places are becoming more active and have taken years. Individual journalists and bloggers can to the streets, not only to protest dangerous and now be labelled foreign agents. As always, it is unfair projects, but also to demand a different not clear where the line is drawn, but the law environmental policy from authorities. might cover anyone spreading information, for This increased attention to environmental instance on social media. issues and more open protests against govern- For Russian environmental organizations, ment waste policy, climate policy, and other the situation is formally not very different from issues has made environmental struggles more 2018 The organizations continue to adapt to politicized. Russian authorities and, in some ca- the situation: most of those who were labelled ses, business representatives have reacted to the foreign agents closed themselves down, if the increased conflict with oppressive measures. Ministry of Justice did not close them down first. In 2019, we have seen the murder of an Several environmentalists established consulting activist fighting landfill construction. We have companies to be able to still get financial sup- noticed attacks, housing and property damage, port from abroad, as domestic sources are scarce criminal accusations, police raids, and smear and mostly relevant for compliant organizations. campaigns against activists in state media. Several environmental groups work unregiste-

Status report 2019 5 red as a legal entity, therefore without a bank from Moscow to remote Shies in Arkhangelsk account and without the opportunity to conduct region, the most visible environmental struggle, independent environmental expertise, a tool to already established organizations have wor- give a second opinion on environmental impact ked together with independent activists. Also, assessment of the documents from the industry. climate activists have received help and support The role of independent environmental acti- from the established parts of the Russian envi- vists in the Russian environmental movement ronmental movement. But the increased num- increased in 2019. The increased attention to ber of environmental activists do not present environmental issues in 2019 seems to be thanks themselves as new members or new affiliates to to independent activists, at least partly. In the the already established groups. struggle against transport of household waste

Authorities blocked the road to the Shies station to prevent activists moving and organizing. Photo: RSEU

6 Status report 2019 INTRODUCTION

In this report, we show how civil society space in states to abide by its obligations to promote and general, and the space for environmental groups protect environmental human rights defenders and activists in particular, has changed during (EHRDs) under the 1998 UN Declaration on 2019. We present the legal changes and the environmental human rights defenders1, in groups being labelled as Foreign Agents and Un- order to highlight the importance of the work of desirable Organizations, as well as developments people who defend human rights related to the in the political debate, most notably in the form environment and in recognition of the dangers of environmental protest. they face.2 Our reports aim to contribute to high- The situation for Russian civil society is lighting struggles in defense of the environment severe. The main trend is that every year, the and environmental defenders in Russia. We situation for civil society is becoming worse. point out the most significant cases and trends. Existing legislation becomes stricter, new limita- As environmentalists, our focus in our reports tions are imposed, and more limiting regulations is mainly on pressure towards environmental are proposed. NGOs and activists. However, we want to point Even if a new bill does not become law, it can out that other NGOs and activists also face pro- still serve the function of spreading fear of the blems, sometimes even more severe. We men- restrictive state. Typically, after relief from not tion some of them here when we see it as the approving a very strict bill, a softer restrictive beginning of a new trend or a path that environ- law becomes more acceptable, but still has an mental groups will soon follow. impact on society. Most of the data reflected and numbers shown After the Foreign Agents law was introduced, are considered and counted until the end of the pressure on civil society became what we can 2019. In some cases, if the effect in the begin- call systemic, through regular inspections, label- ning of 2020 has an important additional value ling, fines, courts and so on. Thus, it was neces- for the discussion of 2019 events, we include sary for NGOs to start more systemic monitoring this. and documentation. We have been following the While we were finishing the report, the corona condition and the development of the situation for environmental NGOs and activists in Russia 1. Recognizing the contribution of environmental human for many years, and have made annual reports rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environ- since 2013. mental protection and sustainable development. Full text here: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/ On the international level, in March 2019, G19/088/48/PDF/G1908848.pdf?OpenElement the UN Human Rights Council called on all 2. https://undocs.org/A/HRC/40/L.22/Rev.1

Status report 2019 7 pandemic appeared in Russia as in the rest of We have used the approximate currency rate the world. Although we see that the fight against for the end of the 2019: 1 Euro as 10 Norwegian the spreading of the virus might impact the kroner and 70 Russian rubles. Numbers in RUR opportunities for environmental groups and the are exact, but numbers in Norwegian kroner and rest of the civil society, we save this analysis for Euros are rounded. our 2020 report.

RSEU protests against UF6 import to Russia. Photo: RSEU

8 Status report 2019 BACKGROUND

The space for civil society in Russia started any normal advocacy work that any organization shrinking around 2000, when Vladimir Putin would be engaged in. Activities like information came to power. After non-governmental orga- work and arranging meetings can also be con- nizations (NGOs) bloomed in the 1990s, more sidered “political” and lead to labelling, which regulations were slowly imposed in the areas of means that no organization is safe. reporting and finances. From 2006, Russia imposed increased repor- ting requirements on NGOs, especially relating to foreign funding. It also provided for planned, annual inspections of the organizations from the authorities, as well as unannounced inspections. Following this, several NGOs were inspected in 2007-2008, but most environmental organiza- tions continued their work as before. The situation deteriorated severely in 2012 when the Foreign Agent law was introduced. The law intended to restrict foreign funding for electoral monitoring NGOs, after the massive protest movement that followed the irregula- rities in the 2011 and 2012 parliamentary and presidential elections. After most NGOs refused to register as Foreign Agents, the Ministry of Justice was given the authority to label NGOs as foreign agents.

BACKGROUND ON THE LAW ON FOREIGN AGENTS The law on Foreign Agents aims to margina- lize, defame, and shut down critical voices. An organization can be labelled a Foreign Agent if it has received foreign funding at the same time as engaging in “political activity”. The definition of “political activity” is vague and covers in practice

Status report 2019 9 The law on Foreign Agents has, since its Agent law, and both laws rely on the same kind approval in 2012, served as one of Russian of vagueness and unclear writing that benefits authorities’ main tools to repress Russian civil the authorities, and creates fear and uncertainty society. The law hinders Russians organizations within NGOs.2 in working efficiently: restricting foreign funds, Anyone working for or cooperating with an marginalizing “political” and almost any other “undesirable” organization — including in an NGO’s activity, spreading distrust to non-go- unofficial capacity — faces fines of up to 15,000 vernmental actors among society and introdu- rubles (200 EUR / 1875 NOK) for ordinary cing self-censorship among NGOs. In addition, citizens, up to 50,000 rubles (660 EUR / 6 250 the various aspects and processes of the law, NOK) for officials, and up to 100,000 rubles like inspections, increased reporting, huge fines (1332 EUR /12 500 NOK) for the organization and even sometimes court cases, draw time and itself. Criminal proceedings will be initiated resources from NGOs. against repeat offenders and the punishments A change in the law from 2014 gave the can be even harsher, with fines of up to 500,000 Ministry of Justice the right to include organiza- rubles (6 666 EUR / 62 500 NOK) and prison tions in the register themselves, without a court sentences ranging from two to six years.3 ruling. This change had a clear effect: in 2015, Regarding the register of undesirable organi- the number of NGOs in the register increased zations, most of those registered so far are US enormously. 20 environmental NGOs were based foundations or connected to these and included in 2015, compared to two in 2014, four providing financial support for Russian NGOs. in 2016, five in 2017, and none in 2018 (see table Two of four listed in 2017 are institutions of 1 and figure 1). Mikhail Khodorkovsky, an ex-oligarch who fled Consequences for NGOs that are registered Russia after being pardoned and released from are huge, and, in practice, it has proven difficult prison. Four organizations listed in 2018 inclu- to continue the activity of the organizations. ded two focusing on elections monitoring, one Thus, many groups decided to close down: four German fund, and one environmental US-based in 2015, seven in 2016, seven in 2017, and four NGO. The state list of the Undesirable organiza- in 2018. The forced registration also led to court tions can be viewed at the website of the Minis- cases and big fines for not having registered try of Justice.4 voluntarily. Several groups express their inten- tion to close down without fighting the labelling. The reason is clear: it costs a lot of time, effort, and money to seek legal protection in Russian courts.1

BACKGROUND ON THE LAW ON UNDESIRABLE ORGANIZATIONS The Undesirable Organizations Law (called by Ministry of Justice “Unwanted”, but we use the more understandable and internationally used term) followed three years after the Foreign Agents law, targeting not only the recipients of foreign aid (NGOs), but also the providers (donors), as well as individuals involved in any 2. We have previously written about the law on Undesira- cooperation with such organizations. The law ble Organizations in our report published in 2016 “Foreign Agent law: Impact on Russian environmental organizations” targets international organizations that operate which is available at http://naturvernforbundet.no/civilsoci- in Russia. The scope for the law on Undesirable etyreports Organizations is even wider than the Foreign 3. See legal analysis of the law in our 2016 report (APPEN- DIX 1) 1. https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/2017/09/putins-year- ecology-aetas-declared-foreign-agents 4. https://minjust.ru/activity/nko/unwanted

10 Status report 2019 DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAW ON FOREIGN AGENTS IN 2019

The most notable change related to the law on the bill was abandoned for almost two years. Foreign Agents in 2019, is the inclusion of indi- The new development of this law started up vidual foreign agents in the law on media For- again in November of 2019. The second Duma eign Agents. This law opens for the possibility to reading took place on 19 November. Only two punish individuals for publishing information, days later, the third reading took place. The like the media. Federation Council approved the bill on 25 The number of environmental organizations November. The bill was signed by the president being labelled as Foreign Agents remains relati- on 2 December and came into force.2 Relevant vely stable compared to the last year. It should persons are required to register a Russian legal be noted that the important work of the environ- entity by 1 February 2020.3 mental organizations that were previously listed The law is intended to affect individuals who and then closed are still highly impacted. Those collaborate with media which already has re- who changed into consulting companies spend ceived Foreign Agents status. The total number more time and money, and those that operate of these Foreign Agents by the end of 2019 was without registration face practical issues. In 10.4 Most of them are connected to the US state addition, all environmentalists struggle with the media Radio Liberty and Voice of America. status as alleged betrayers and foreign agents Violation of the law will be punished by against Russian values. fines and arrests: -up to 100,000 rubles (1,430 EUR/14,300 NOK) or arrest for up to 15 days INDIVIDUAL FOREIGN AGENTS for citizens, a fine up to 200,000 rubles (2,860 One of the main developments of 2019 was the EUR/28,600 NOK) for officials, and 5 million adoption of the law “On recognition of indivi- rubles (71,430 EUR/714,300 NOK) for legal duals as media acting as Foreign Agents”. The entities. bill was initiated in the end of 2017, and the first As usual, the law is written vaguely and has reading took place in January 20181. After that, 2. https://sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/345523-7

3. http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/Document/ 1. See our previous report “Increased pressure on the Rus- View/0001201912020074 sian environmental movement and activists. Status report 2018”, page 17-18 and “Foreign Agent law reshaping Rus- 4. https://minjust.ru/ru/deyatelnost-v-sfere-nekommerches- sian civil society. Environmental organizations status report kih-organizaciy/reestr-inostrannyh-sredstv-massovoy-infor- 2017”, page 19 macii

Status report 2019 11 a lot of potential for selective implementation. The only environmental group labeled in It seems that any income or transaction from 2019 - Autonomous non-profit organization of outside of Russia might be considered as for- information and legal services «Civil Initiative eign funding. At the same time, any interaction, against Environmental Crime» – was labeled including likes and reposts, from Media Foreign on 25th October 2019.6 This is the first time in Agents might be considered as the «spread of the history of the Foreign Agents law when an information” from Foreign Agent Media. NGO is labeled for support from Greenpeace Interpretation of laws is usually helped by (international organization) as foreign funds. explanatory orders. But, as yet, the Ministry of The organization was also fined 300,000 rubles Justice has not provided any, which makes it in December.7 even less clear how the law should be interpre- The Autonomous non-profit organization of ted. We do not know if for instance environ- information and legal services «Civil Initiative mental activists who spread information about against Environmental Crime» has created a environmental damage will be affected, but we public monitoring and response system for can assume so. Also, it is unclear whether the landscape fires in the Krasnodar region and law covers receiving a salary from abroad or if Adygea republic. As well as this, Association travel support to participate in seminars will be of the Volunteer Firefighters of the Kuban was enough. Based on previous experience, the law established. Forest fires in southern Russia are will be interpreted in the service of oppression. a systemic environmental, social, and economic There is reason to believe that many citizens problem. Fires damage ecosystems and wildlife will exercise increased self-censorship in what as well as people’s houses and health. The cost they are writing online. Also, since it is unclear of forest fire damage in 2019 was more than 2.6 if the law covers for instance travel support, million rubles in Kuban alone. The main cause we might expect reluctance towards attending of fires is attempted arson, including agricultural seminars and conferences financed from abroad. burning. In recent years, the activity of volunteer Democracy in Russia will thus be further weake- firefighters has been actively developing, inclu- ned, and the people-to-people cooperation bet- ding the work of «Civil Initiative against Envi- ween Russia and other countries will experience ronmental Crime». further difficulties. One environmental NGO was removed from For possible implementation towards acti- the register in 2019, Chapaevsk local public vists, we can look to the implementation of the organization «Association of medical workers law on Undesirable organizations, presented in of the Chapaevsk city». The organization from the next chapter. It is likely that the authorities’ Samara region labeled in 2016 is working with practice of the undesirable organizations law can the effects of pollution on human health. We do give some clues as to how the law on individual not know the reason the group was delisted, as foreign agents will be implemented. we did not get an answer from them. But there are two ways out: 1) to prove ending foreign fun- CHANGES IN THE FOREIGN ding or 2) ending political activity. The second is AGENT REGISTER almost impossible, with the vague interpretation During 2019, 11 new NGOs were listed5 as Fo- of the law by the authorities. reign Agents. Five of them were from Moscow, Two environmental NGOs still remain in the three from Ingushetia republic and one each register since they were listed. The first one, and from Saratov, Penza and Krasnodar region. See the first environmental organization labeled, is the full list in Annex 1. We see a small increase Ecodefense (official name - Kaliningrad Regional compared to 2018, when 7 NGOs were labeled Public Organization “Ecodefence! – Womens’ in total, and no environmental groups among Council”), labeled in 2014. The other is Fund for them, which was the lowest year in labeling history from 2012. 6. Official news on the labeling https://minjust.ru/ru/novosti/ avtonomnaya-nekommercheskaya-organizaciya-informaci- onnyh-i-pravovyh-uslug-grazhdanskaya 5. Official Foreign Agent register at the Ministry of Justice http://unro.minjust.ru/NKOForeignAgent.aspx 7. https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/343608/

12 Status report 2019 the Promotion of Sustainable Development «Sil- period.8 This is a clear example of rapid sen- ver Taiga» from Syktyvkar, Republic of Komi, tencing, which is common for the Russian legal labeled in 2017. system when it comes to political cases. The total amount of environmental NGOs la- The five cases were opened pursuant to non- belled from 2012 to 2019 is 32. Currently, there execution of a court’s judgment, ruling or other are only three environmental NGOs left in the judicial act, for not paying fines for violating register: the two remaining from previous years “Foreign Agent” law9. The article carries a maxi- (Ecodefence! and Silver Taiga) and the new one mum penalty of two years imprisonment. During listed in 2019 (Civil Initiative against Environ- the summer of 2019, Ecodefense raised 460,000 mental Crime). Seven NGOs have managed to rubles of donations to pay fines, but the criminal leave the register and continue their work. The cases were not dropped. Alexandra Korolyova rest – 22 NGOs - were closed down, either on had to flee Russia and was granted an asylum in their own initiative or by court order initiated by Germany in the end of the year.10 the Ministry of Justice. Some groups continue Another example is the human rights organi- their environmental work in other legal forms. zation Memorial which was labeled as a Foreign The table of environmental NGOs labeled as Agent in 2016. In the end of 2019, Roskomnad- Foreign Agents can be seen in Annex 2. zor (Federal Service for Supervision of Com- munications, Information Technology and Mass FINANCIAL PRESSURE Media) initiated 28 cases for violations of the TOWARDS NGOS Foreign Agent law – for not labeling webpages, Financial pressure towards NGOs labeled as social media, and other materials as Foreign Foreign Agents has been a governmental tool for Agents. The total amount of fines for Memorial a long time. In 2019, labelled NGOs were fined branches and their heads amounted to 4.2 mil- in total for hundreds of thousands of rubles. lion rubles (60,000 EUR / 600,000 NOK).11 The most remarkable example from 2019 is Ecodefense›s cases – not only because of the FORCED LIQUIDATION OF huge number of fines, but also because it resul- NGOS ted in a criminal persecution of its director. On 6th November 2019 the Moscow city co- Since the designation of Ecodefense as a urt ruled to liquidate the Interregional Public Foreign Agent in 2014, the Ministry of Jus- Organization «Centre for Support of Indigenous tice initiated 28 administrative proceedings Peoples of the North». The Center is a leading against the organization for violations of the expert organization for the indigenous peoples› law. A number of these proceedings resulted community, which provides informational, edu- in fines, which Ecodefense was unable to pay. cational, and legal support to indigenous peoples The organization’s bank account was frozen at all levels. It is the only organization of indi- in December 2018 when the total amount of genous peoples in Russia with special status and fines had reached around 2 million rubles (over accreditation with UN agencies and structures, €30,000 / 300,000 such as UNESCO, UNEP, FAO, CBD, the Econo- NOK). As a result mic and Social Council, and others. The Center of the organization’s was going to celebrate its 20th anniversary in failure to pay the fines, 2020. on 30th May 2019, 8. https://ecodefense.ru/2019/06/19/five/ authorities in the Kali- ningrad region initia- 9. Case opened pursuant of Article 315, Part 2 of the Crimi- ted five criminal cases nal Code of the Russian Federation, https://www.imolin.org/ doc/amlid/Russian_Federation_Criminal_Code.pdf against Alexandra Korolyova, Director of 10. https://ecodefense.ru/2019/12/30/alexandra-koroleva- Ecodefense. These five political-refuge/ proceedings all started 11. https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2020/01/09/158152- within a 40-minute Alexandra Korylyova. summa-shtrafov-dlya-memoriala-za-otsutstvie-markirovok- Photo: Ecodefense inoagenta-prevysila-4-milliona-rubley

Status report 2019 13 The case was initiated by the Ministry of Jus- a legal entity.13 tice. The formal claims were related to the legal We have previously14 written about the address of the organization, inconsistency of environmental organization “For Nature” and their Charter with the new legislation, and con- the movement with the same name from Che- ducting educational courses. The organization’s lyabinsk that was closed down soon after being open statement says: “This is a continuation labeled as Foreign Agents. of blunt pressure on the organization and its leadership for human rights activities advocating EUROPEAN COURT ON for the rights of indigenous peoples of the North, FOREIGN AGENT LAW Siberia and the Far East, which began in 2014 There has been no development in European Co- and continues to this day”.12 In 2015 Centre for urt on Human Rights for either of two collective Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North was cases versus Russia, related to the Foreign Agent labeled as Foreign Agent, but three years later law. The first case, “Ecodefense and other 48 or- were removed from the register. Currently, the ganizations”, was communicated in March 2017, center is appealing the decision of liquidation and is waiting for a decision. The second case, and trying to fix their minor inaccuracies in “Levada centre and 14 others”, was communica- documents. ted in June 2018, Russia sent their response to Another example is All-Russian Public Strasbourg in November 2018. Both the first and Movement «For Human Rights» established the second case refer to the same articles of the in 1997. On 1st November 2019, the Supreme European Convention on Human Rights: Art.11 Court liquidated the organization. The case was “Freedom of assembly and association”, Art. 14 also initiated by the Ministry of Justice. On 12th “Prohibition of discrimination” and Art.18, set- February, the movement was listed as Foreign ting limits on rights.15 Agent and fined multiple times for hundreds of 13. https://www.zaprava.ru/about/ thousands rubles. In response, on 30th Novem- ber, the National Public Organization For Hu- 14. «Foreign Agent Law – reshaping Russian civil society: man Rights was established in Moscow, without Environmental organizations’ status report 2017”, page 12. Available at http://naturvernforbundet.no/civilsocietyreports

15.«Increased pressure on the Russian environmental 12. http://www.csipn.ru/glavnaya/news/4756-otkrytoe- movement and activists. Status report 2018», pages 11-12. zayavlenie-tsentra-sodejstviya-kmns Available at http://naturvernforbundet.no/civilsocietyreports

Climate strike, Arkhangelsk. Photo: Movement 42

14 Status report 2019 DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAW ON UNDESIRABLE ORGANI­ ZATIONS IN 2019

The main development in the implementation of ”Open Russia” page. Chirikov was found guilty this law is the authorities targeting activists for of collaborating with an “undesirable organizati- cooperation with Undesirable organizations. on” (Article 20.33 of the Code of Administrative Offenses) for publishing three years ago, in 2016 CHANGES IN THE REGISTER – before Open Russia was declared undesirable. Four more organizations have been listed in Later, in November 2019, the case was ceased 2019. This is approximately the same amount as due to the expiration of the statute of limita- before: four in 2015, three in 2016, four in 2017, tions.1 and four in 2018. By the end of 2019, there are Similar cases were initiated in Krasnodar re- altogether listed 19 organisations during these gion during 2019 towards following the environ- five years. mental activists: Dmitry Shevchenko, Alexander The four new organisations in the register Saveliev, Eugeny Vitishko, Alexandr Safronov. 2019 are: The background to this was that, in 2017, a - Free Russia Foundation (USA), number of organizations associated with Mikhail - Ukrainian World Congress (Canada), Khodorkovsky were declared undesirable. Even - Atlantic council of the United States (USA), though the Russian movement with the same - «Člověk v tísni, o.p.s» / «People In Need» name was not banned, its participants continued (Czech republic). to be persecuted. We previously2 wrote about the criminal persecution of Anastasia Shevchenko, COURT CASES WITH HEAVY the head of the Krasnodar office of the unregis- FINES tered Russian movement Open Russia. On 30th The idea of the law on undesirable organizations March 2019, Open Russia movement announced was not to punish foreign organizations themsel- self-liquidation for security reasons. Since 24th ves, but to restrict activists in Russia - Russian citizens – from engaging with them. In 2019, we 1. https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/09/19/v-krasno- have seen how this works. dare-ekoaktivista-oshtrafovali-za-repost-so-stranicy-otkry- In September 2019 in Krasnodar, the court toy-rossii fined for 10,000 rubles to Viktor Chirikov, an 2. «Increased pressure on the Russian environmental mo- activist of the Environmental Watch on North vement and activists. Status report 2018”, page 16. Report Caucasus, for posting on Facebook from the available at http://www.naturvernforbundet.no/civilsociety- reports

Status report 2019 15 February 2019 the movement operates as All- Andrei Rudomakha 30,000 rubles (425 EUR / Russian Public Organization for the Support of 4,250 NOK) for participation in an activity of Civil Society «Russian Public Organization Open undesirable organization - Rudomakha’s intervi- Russia». ew to MBX Media. Later, in December, the court In April 2019, Maykop City Court fined the upheld the fine.4 NGO Environmental Watch on the North Cau- We have seen similar cases of increasing casus 80,000 rubles (1,150 EUR / 11,500 NOK) implementation of the Undesirable Organiza- under article 20.33 of the Administrative Code tions Law. In 2017, several cases were initiated - on the implementation of the activities of “un- against NGOs for cooperation with the Open desirable organizations”. The fine was imposed Society Institute. The cooperation was an old because the EWNC shared links to the personal publication of the materials funded by Open blogs of two of its activists in the organization›s Society Institute many years ago, before it was social media pages. The personal blogs of Dmitry labeled as ”undesirable” and even before this Shevchenko and Alexander Savelyev were pub- law existed. We wrote about these cases in our lished on the Open Russia blog platform, which previous report for 2017.5 the City Court confused with the organization with the same name, labeled as undesirable. In October 2019, the Adygea Supreme Court repea- 4. https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/12/02/sud-osta- 3 led this decision. vil-v-sile-shtraf-v-30-tysyach-rubley-koordinatoru-ekovahty- Soon after, the Krasnodar magistrate’s court andreyu

fined Environmental Watch in North Caucasus 5. “Foreign Agent Law – reshaping Russian civil society: 60,000 rubles (850 EUR / 8,500 NOK), and Environmental organizations’ status report 2017”, page 17. Available at www.naturvernforbundet.no/civilsocietyreports 3. http://ewnc.org/node/13205 and http://rusecounion.ru/civilsocietyreports

Human banner, Moscow climate strike. Photo: FFF Russia

16 Status report 2019 MOBILIZATION ON ENVIRON- MENTAL ISSUES

2019 saw a large increase in environmental pro- Neither pension reform, nor tariff increases, tests in Russia on several issues. Environmental nor election irregularities caused such a public struggle was also understood as more political. outcry.1 In 2019, the Levada Center conducted a A YEAR OF ENVIRONMENTAL survey on the importance of different rights. PROTESTS Compared with the results of the survey in 2017, Environmental problems were always important the importance of various freedoms significantly issues regionally. Authorities’ visible incapa- increased: freedom of speech (58% in 2019 ver- city to tackle such problems in an inclusive and sus 34% in 2017), freedom of peaceful assembly proper way in 2019 led to environmental con- and association (28% vs. 13%), and access to in- flicts in multiple regions. The increased conflicts formation (39% vs. 25%). The number of people brought more attention to the issues, making wishing to participate in the public and political regional stories more visible for the national life of the country almost doubled (from16% to picture. 30%).2 In 2019, many people in Russia’s regions broke up from the so-called “Crimean consen- sus”, an expression implying that national pride of taking back Crimea would motivate people to support authorities despite other problema- tic issues. It would seem that the consensus broke as many people were tired, unhappy, and unsatisfied with the reality. Remaining and even worsening environmental and social issues be- came visible for people. Many wanted to know more, to participate more in decision-making and, if impossible, to protest more. The 2019 environmental protests against poor governmental waste management poli- cies, inaction on climate change, and import of 1. https://7x7-journal.ru/articles/2020/01/01/nachalas-shie- sizaciya-obshestva-pochemu-ekologicheskie-protesty-stali- uranium waste from Germany have become the trendom-2019-goda-i-k-kakim-posledstviyam-oni-privedut largest in the recent history of Russian regions. 2. https://www.levada.ru/2019/11/20/prava-cheloveka/

Status report 2019 17 People experience environmental destruction Russian demonstrations, and formed an inter- and pollution directly with their senses. Connec- regional anti-garbage coalition. ting their local problems with similar situations As a result, the protest against the landfill in multiple regions led to a view that the system soon moved to criticism of regional authori- is broken. This makes local environmental issues ties for not dealing properly with the issue and understood as part of a national and even global ignoring people’s demands. Governor of the problem. This understanding helps local groups Arkhangelsk region, Igor Orlov, who refused to join in common mobilization and actions. Their support the local residents, severely lost popu- battle becomes not only interregional, but even lar support. In a ranking of regional leaders, he national. dropped in one year from 55 to 85th, which is A waste collapse is approaching in Russia and the last place.4 In spring 2020, Orlov resigned as the hierarchy of waste management3 is not fol- governor.5 lowed. Instead of reducing waste and developing Another landfill for Moscow waste is being recycling, state affiliated companies are promo- constructed in the Mikhali village in Iznoskovsky ting incineration and waste landfills in many District of Kaluga region. The landfill is located regions. Poor waste management policy under- 160 km from Moscow. The decision was made in standably causes numerous protests, in some 2017 and the construction started in May 2018. places even permanent tent camps with protes- For three years, villagers supported by activists ters. The biggest camps and the most significant from Kaluga, the regional center, have opposed attacks on the camps have happened in Shies, this construction. “Contrary to all the laws and Arkhangelsk region, where people are protesting with major violations, the construction of this against a landfill, and Osinovo village, in the Re- landfill does not stop,” activists state at their public of Tatarstan, against illegal construction page on VK (a Russian social media platform). of a road to an incinerator construction. One of the activists fighting against the landfill, Denis Shtroo, was killed (more below). Part of PROTESTS AGAINST WASTE the landfill was opened at the end of 2019. DUMPING IN SHIES Also in other places in Russia, conflict situa- AND ELSEWHERE tions with waste increased and protests arose Shies station in Arkhangelsk region, close to the against landfills for the waste from Moscow or border with Komi Republic, was the main envi- against incinerators. Protests took place in the ronmental hotspot in 2019. First, local residents, Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Lenin- and then activists from all over the country grad region, Vladimir, Yaroslavl regions, the have been preventing the illegal construction of Tatarstan Republic, and other regions. a landfill for Moscow garbage for more than a Since the beginning of that local protest, the year. Shies movement has attracted people from In the summer of 2018, at the Shies railway different regions and united activists fighting station of the Arkhangelsk region, the Techno- similar waste and other environmental issues park company began construction of a landfill all over the country. Seeing similarities of their for municipal solid waste from Moscow and the problems and the political nature of such pro- Moscow region. In December 2018, protesters blems, activists not only express cross-regional organized a 24-hour camp to monitor the con- solidarity, but also generalize their demands for struction and prevent illegal activities. Activists higher-level solutions and organizing themsel- organized a round-the-clock shift at several ves together. By the end of the year, the Shies points around the site, launched a large-scale movement grew into All-Russian Civil Ecological information campaign, initiated several all- Movement «We live here!», which is coordina-

3. The waste hierarchy is commonly known for giving priority to the most important measures for waste handling: 4. https://29.ru/text/politics/66302443/ firstly reduction of waste, then recycling of materials. Other options like combustion are lower in the hierarchy and 5. https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/life-and-pu- should not be prioritized. blic/2020/04/igor-orlov-resigns-arkhangelsk-governor

18 Status report 2019 ting their efforts.6 one and 50 participants.8 In some cities, young activists are protesting on a regular basis, OTHER ISSUES sometimes with a few dozen participants. The Environmental issues connect many other over- Fridays for Future group on VK now has 1,700 lapping issues, including social, economic, and members.9 political issues. Sometimes, the issue itself might Import of radioactive waste from abroad not be ‘environmental’ seen from the environ- has been a major issue since autumn 2019. In mental movement’s perspective, but will still be October, Russia resumed the import of uranium regarded important in people’s minds. hexafluoride (UF6) - uranium enrichment waste In May 2019, a fence appeared in the center - from Germany. Such import was stopped after of Yekaterinburg, enclosing a city square for a broad protest campaign in 2008. More than the construction of a church. Several thousand 30 environmental groups signed a statement to citizens gathered for protests during the week, as oppose the idea.10 Later in many cities along the they did not accept losing their park, at least not transport route – a railway from St. Petersburg without a proper process. As a result, the fence to Ural - activists were protesting.11 Regional was demolished and the city authorities announ- politicians in St. Petersburg also got involved, ced the search for another site for the construc- raising the issue in the St. Petersburg legisla- tion of the church.7 Defending the park might tive assembly. Protests have led to suspending not only be about the park itself, but maybe import for almost three months and to a change more about dignity and demanding participation of port from St. Petersburg to the more remote in the decisions over their environment and ter- Ust-Luga in Leningrad region. ritories. The anti-coal movement in Russia is also gro- The number of protests is increasing. It seems wing. The main protests take place in Kuzbass that protest is not an extraordinary form of ac- against coal mines. The surrounding villages tion anymore. A possible explanation is that the have been fighting coal miners and authorities older generation is tired and dissatisfied with the for many years. Rallies, pickets, and overlapping current situation; and young people grew up in routes have been going on there since 2017. The an era with human rights as normal and do not biggest demonstration in Novokuznetsk in the remember the restricted Soviet society. fall of 2017 gathered 600 participants’ signa- A good example of how the younger genera- tures. Residents demand a halt to mining near tion does not shy away from visible protest is villages and an end to coal transshipment. One the climate activists in the Fridays for Future of the largest protests in 2019 took place on 31 movement. In the protests against import of March in the village of Atamanovo, Novokuz- radioactive waste, older generations have also netsk district - about 300 people gathered for participated. the rally. In spring 2019, the first activist of the Fridays For Future movement appeared in Moscow protesting for a couple of weeks all alone. But already in September 2019, on the global day of 8. https://7x7-journal.ru/articles/2019/09/27/u-nas-net-pla- climate action, protests took place in 20 Rus- nety-b-v-rossijskih-gorodah-proshli-akcii-protiv-izmeneniya- sian cities, with each protest gathering between klimata-kotorye-vdohnovila-greta-tunberg

9. https://vk.com/fridaysforfuturerussia 6. http://nzz.eco/ 10. http://rusecounion.ru/ru/no-uf6 7. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48276170 and https://news.ru/russia/protest-pobedil-hram-v-ekaterinbur- 11. http://activatica.org/blogs/view/id/8619/title/pochemu- ge-budut-stroit-v-drugom-mest/ nuzhno-ostanovit-uranovyy-poezd

Status report 2019 19 Pictures from the protest against the waste dump at Shies, Arkhangelsk region. Photo: RSEU

20 Status report 2019 AUTHORITIES’ REACTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTS

In this chapter, we describe difficulties for Court of Human Rights rulings.1 environmental protests and show examples of Secondly, there is persecution for protesting. different types of persecution from the autho- This includes financial persecution - fines for rities and business interests. We describe both everyone who went onto the streets anyway and common and specific challenges to the main administrative persecution, such as arrest for protests, including waste, climate, nuclear, and disobedience towards the police. Even asking coal. for a policeman’s documents, could be taken as disobedience. The fines for protesting might COMMON CHALLENGES amount to 20,000 rubles (285 EUR/ 2,850 All the environmental protests face several NOK) for citizens, 100,000 rubles (1,428 EUR/ similar problems. The first is the difficulty to 14,280 NOK) for officials, and 300,000 rubles set up a demonstration or a protest in the first (4,285 EUR/ 42,850 NOK) for legal entities. place. Activities are met with administrative Protesters also face up to 15 days of administra- restrictions such as problems getting an agre- tive detention. Below we give examples of both ement with authorities for a demonstration. forms of persecution. The Constitution gives the right to peaceful The third common challenge is criminal gatherings, but federal law requires notifying persecution - criminal cases based on conflicts authorities and agreeing on possible proposals between activists, and security or police. Autho- for changes. In practice, this means that aut- rities’ ignorance of environmental problems and horities are trying to postpone gatherings or people’s demands often leads to physical con- send protesters far away from city centers for all flicts. It seems likely that the lack of opportuniti- sorts of reasons. For the last two decades, the es to protest in an orderly manner increases the law has been made stricter almost each year, numbers of such conflicts. The severity ranges from simply being an obligation to notify to an from damaging a fence or simply writing on it - application for a permit, or rather a means to as was the case for Evgeny Vitishko and Suren prohibit demonstrations. Also, ever-increasing Gazaryan back in 2011 - to clashes with security fines for violating these restrictions have a so guards or police, who often back security forces cold “chilling effect” – discouraging people from and not the people. Conflicts could be escalated exercising the right. Russia has been criticized many times for such restrictions by international 1. Guide on Article 11 of the European Convention on human rights institutions, including European Human Rights https://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/Guide_ Art_11_ENG.pdf

Status report 2019 21 or faked as a provocation in order to portray The protesters also faced persecution. On protest as violent, and persecute its leaders or 6th April, between 3,000 and 7,000 people participants. gathered for a demonstration in the center of It is important to note that many of the Arkhangelsk, and numerous rallies took place environmentally harmful projects that activists in other cities in the region. Since then, actions are protesting are actually started illegally. For have been held daily in Arkhangelsk and other instance, construction starts before necessary cities.3 During these actions, activists have been procedures, such as environmental impact as- repeatedly detained. Six people received up to sessments (EIAs) and public hearings. Construc- 400 hours of compulsory work, four people were tion of roads also often starts without necessary sentenced to five days of arrest each, and 128 changes in the borders of protected areas. people were fined a total of 2,270,000 rubles Clearly, lack of visibility makes activists more (32,400 EUR / 324,000 NOK).4 vulnerable. A general rule is that the more rural The court system nonetheless gave victories to the issue, and the further from the capital or the the environmentalists. Urdomskoye municipali- regional center the environmental problem and ty, closest to the site, filed a case against Techno- following environmental conflict is, the more park LLC in defense of the people. In January vulnerable and less protected local activists are. 2020, after a year of postponing several times, A single ban on demonstrations for 50 school the Arkhangelsk court recognized facilities on children in Moscow might be covered in national the Shies site as illegal and ruled to demolish it.5 media, whereas criminal persecution of activists The company said that they intended to appeal in Shies or Kuzbas might be not reported on at that decision. The activists’ camp on the site all. remains. Huge fines are also given to protestors when ANTI-WASTE PROTESTS permission for constructions is not obtained. A The Shies protesters have faced dangerous similar situation is unfolded in Tatarstan repu- situations, been harmed and then charged as the blic, where construction of a waste incinerator offenders. As an example, on the night of 14th is planned, but proper permission has not been March 2019, at the construction site at the Shies provided. In December 2019, a protest camp was station, a conflict occurred between the builders established to block the road for illegal incine- of the landfill and the environmental activists rator construction. Soon after, a mass detention at the protest camp. Several builders tried to of protest camp participants took place. Many break through the eco-camp using cars. During activists were fined, with the fines amounting the clash, an excavator demolished a trailer, to167,500 rubles (2,400 EUR / 24,000 NOK) in which the activists had put there to block the total, and one person was arrested.6 way for equipment for the illegal construction. One of the activists and an excavator driver were PROTESTS AGAINST IMPORT injured. The conflict resulted in criminal charges OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE for four activists with ”arbitrariness” (Article Weeks of protest against uranium hexafluoride 330 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Fede- (UF6) import also resulted in persecution of ration), which carries a prison sentence of up to the protesters. Novouralsk is the closed city of five years. One of them was additionally charged Sverdlovsk region, to where uranium hexafluori- for ”threat to kill or cause serious bodily harm” de from Germany is being transported. The city (Article 119 of the Criminal Code of the Russian has rarely seen any protests before. In response Federation), which involves a sentence of up to 2 years imprisonment. The builders and excavator arhangelskoj-oblasti driver were not charged at all. The court hea- 3. https://29.ru/text/politics/66046648/ 2 rings continue. 4. https://stopshies.ru/pressing/

5. https://www.interfax.ru/russia/690621 2. https://7x7-journal.ru/articles/2019/05/13/delo-beshen- ogo-ekskavatora-chto-izvestno-ob-ugolovnom-presledo- 6. https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/12/16/pod-kaza- vanii-protivnikov-musornogo-poligona-na-stancii-shies-v- nyu-zaderzhali-uchastnikov-eko-lagerya-protiv-stroitelstva

22 Status report 2019 to a series of one-man protests, authorities have ANTI-COAL PROTESTS initiated administrative cases against three Despite the persecution of activists that started pensioners in the beginning of December.7 Later during the summer (read more in the criminal administrative charges were dismissed.8 persecution section), on 27th October about 150 On 17th December Rashid Alimov, an anti- people gathered at a rally in Kiselevsk, Ke- nuclear expert of Greenpeace Russia had a merovo Oblast. Before the demonstration, police one-man protest in the center of St. Petersburg officers detained four activists who were driving to bring attention to another shipment of UF6. sound-amplifying equipment. They were not Later, on the evening of the same day, six people released until the end of the rally.12 According without uniform together with two police of- to Ecodefense, a Russian environmental group ficers detained him from the entrance of his own supporting local communities in Kuzbass, seven house.9 Alimov was facing a massive fine for cases of harassment against anti-coal activists illegal occupation of the area in the center of the occurred in the region during 2019. city. Later on, in 2020, charges were dropped. A new transport of the radioactive waste from ANTI-CONSTRUCTION Germany was scheduled for the beginning of the PROTESTS TO SAVE 2020, but was not sent to Russia before the end THE CITY PARK of March, and was relocated to another port – Several days of protests in Yekaterinburg re- Ust’-Luga in Leningrad region. sulted in a victory for the activists: they saved a city park. But they paid a high cost. In total, CLIMATE PROTESTS more than 100 people were detained. Activists While the geographical scope of climate strikes were charged with disobedience, hooliganism, was widening during the year, Novosibirsk, and violation of traffic rules. Many participants Sochi, Murmansk, Saint Petersburg and Mos- in the rallies spoke about police violence; one of cow are among the cities where youth activists the activists was even hospitalized with broken faced restrictions for their mass strikes on 29th ribs. November.10 As we said before, authorities are 99 people were punished: 39 were detained trying to postpone the date or send protesters to from 1 to 15 days, one was assigned obligatory the outskirts of the city. When there is a national work, 59 were fined from 1,000 to 20,000 rubles or international day of action, it does not make (14 - 286 EUR / 143 – 2,860 NOK). The total much sense to protest on another day or without amount of fines resulted in 590,000 rubles being seen. (8,400 euro / 84,000 NOK). Another case is a youth Russian climate acti- vist Arshak Makichan. He has been striking sin- COMMON SOLUTIONS ce March 2019 and inspired a Russian “Fridays Environmental activists are adapting to the chal- For Future” movement. On Friday 20th Decem- lenges. Despite restricted space and the state’s ber, he was sentenced to six days for taking part limitations, activists have managed to continue in an earlier demonstration in Moscow.11 Despite fighting for protection of nature and the envi- all the restrictions the new youth network is get- ronment. ting bigger. In order to overcome restrictions on protes-

7. https://66.ru/news/society/226814/ ting, a series of single-man pickets have become a common practice instead of mass demonstra- 8. https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2019/12/12/157626-sud- tions. These means activists are protesting in prekratil-administrativnye-dela-v-otnoshenii-uralskih-pensi- onerov-protestovavshih-protiv-vvoza-uranovyh-hvostov multiple places at the same time. Another option is replacing one another with a huge and someti- 9. https://greenpeace.ru/blogs/2019/12/17/peterburg-ne- mes visible queue. hochet-radioaktivnyh-podarkov/ When activists are being fined anyway, the fi- 10. https://ovdinfo.org/news/2019/11/28/v-rossii-ne- soglasovyvayut-akcii-v-ramkah-mezhdunarodnoy-klima- 12. http://xn----7sbabc5ab5bq1ac6ad.xn--p1ai/news/ ticheskoy-zabastovki video_miting_v_kiseljovske_zaderzhanija_provokacii_rezol- 11. https://www.bbc.com/russian/features-50823012 jucija/2019-10-27-1632

Status report 2019 23 nes are covered collectively with crowd funding. Many human rights advocates and pro-bono lawyers are helping activists who face criminal persecution.

«Waste - not to Shies, but to Rublevka» (Moscow luxury village). Photo: RSEU

24 Status report 2019 OTHER PRESSURES ON ENVI- RONMENTAL ACTIVISTS

In addition to pressure from authorities on envi- threats in connection to her activities. Shortly ronmental protests described above, individual before the attack, an unidentified man beat her environmental activists also face different kinds husband. Tolkacheva connects the arson with of pressure, including attacks. Below, we show her activism, as she organized rallies against some examples, partly from authorities, and waste reform. Tolkacheva was told by the police partly from business interests. that the attacker is unlikely to be found and was advised to «live quietly.»2 ATTACKS Clashes between security or police and activists MURDER are happening in several protests. In addition, In Kaluga, on the night of 9th March 2019, a activists face the fear of threats and attacks from man attacked environmental activist Denis unknown perpetrators. Shtroo in a park with a knife. The attacker stab- In the Likino-Dulyovo suburban district of bed Shtroo three times in the lung and liver. Moscow region, on 15th July 2019, police ente- Shtroo was heavily wounded. He was immedia- red a forest and dispersed protesters protecting tely hospitalized, but the forest from clearing for a landfill. People the doctors couldn’t were beaten with batons; some were beaten in save him. After 5 the face. Activist Svetlana Kareva was hit the days in intensive hardest - she was sent to intensive care with sus- care, he died.3 picion of a head injury and possible fracture of “Today we got the spine. One of the activists said: «The police terrifying news. Our cowardly lied to the authorities about the girl friend, comrade, an who fell and lost consciousness until the am- active volunteer of bulance arrived, saying that she herself fell, we our project and just have nothing to do with it.»1 a kind and bright Denis Shtroo. (Photo: Geo- In Tula on the night of 20th-21st April, an person died. With metria) unknown person threw four Molotov cocktails into the house of activist Marina Tolkacheva. 2. https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/04/23/v-tule- Before the attack she had repeatedly received dom-kandidatki-v-gordumu-ot-kprf-podozhgli-kokteylyami- molotova

1. http://activatica.org/blogs/view/id/7411/title/v-likino-dule- 3. https://newizv.ru/news/incident/16-03-2019/v-kaluge- vo-policiya-izbivaet-protestuyushchih-protiv-svalki-v-lesu zhestoko-ubili-ekoaktivista-denisa-shtroo

Status report 2019 25 a heavy heart, we cannot even imagine that Andrei Kostenko, activist of the Chelyabinsk, this person is no longer among us. Denis was a breathe! environmental group, and a member man supporting environmental movements and of the environmental working group in the city, justice” – wrote Eco-educational project «We found his car with a broken windshield and tires separate (waste)» on its page in VK.4 cut. He associates such actions with his political The attacker was detained immediately after activities.9 the conflict, but he did not say anything about his motives. Still, it seems likely that the attack POLICE RAIDS was related to Shtroo’s environmental activism. Police raids accompany other types of pres- Shtroo has over the past few years been fighting sure. As we have shown, this tool could be used against construction of a landfill for Moscow in order to scare or block activists, or to start a waste in the village of Mikhali, Kaluga region. criminal case. This is an old tool that has proved He actively participated in various environmen- itself against activists. tal initiatives. The sister of the deceased believes On 9 April, in Krasnodar, masked security the incident might have been a result of internal officers blocked the entrances to the office of conflict in the environmental group, but does the Environmental Watch on North Caucasus not exclude the possibility of an assassination.5 and seized computers and office equipment. The phone number of the EWNC coordinator Andrey HOUSING AND PROPERTY Rudomakha was unavailable during the raid.10 DAMAGES Four months later, on 30th July early In Nizhny Novgorod, even environmentally in the morning, another raid took place in conscious municipal servants can be attacked Rudomakha’s home. This was later declared for their work. On 4th May, Evgeny Stepanin, a illegal by the regional court in Krasnodar. The head of the Department of Public Services of the police did not wait for the door to be opened, but Prioksky District Administration of Nizhny Nov- broke the door and assaulted Rudomakha.11 gorod, lost his car in an intended arson. In his opinion, the crime was committed in response to CRIMINAL PERSECUTION FOR the fact that he impeded the further disposal of “REPEATED VIOLATIONS” OF waste in unauthorized dumps on one of the stre- PROTEST RULES ets in his jurisdiction.6 Another law used to scare protestors and In Moscow region, on the night of 31th May, prevent activism from spreading is «Repeated the house of activist Inessa Bakulina burned violation by the participant of a public event of down in Roshal near Moscow. Bakulina opposed the established procedure for picketing» (Ar- the work of a waste facility, for sorting and bu- ticle 212.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian rial of garbage in the city. Activists believe that Federation). Simply put, the article states that, what happened could be arson related to the for participating more than two times in illegal social activities of Inessa.7 demonstration during a half a year, you can face In Chelyabinsk, on 2nd July, the car of Lyubov up to five years in prison. Earlier, we described Chagaeva, an activist at Stop GOK and an orga- how reluctant authorities are in allowing people nizer of the rally against Tominsky GOK, was to protest, so it is easy to make a demonstration vandalized with paint.8 illegal. Out of three activists who faced charges In Chelyabinsk again, soon after, on 6th July, for “repeated violations” in 2019, two are envi- ronmental activists fighting landfills (in Moscow 4. https://vk.com/wall-100606053_2196 and Arkhangelsk). 5. https://mbk-news.appspot.com/region/v-kaluge-ekoakti- Activist Vyacheslav Egorov has since 2018 vist-u 9. https://vk.com/wall-161113110_16096 6. https://koza.press/news/7192 10. https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/334068/ 7. http://activatica.org/blogs/view/id/7022/title/protivnikov- 11. https://ovdinfo.org/express-news/2019/10/02/sud- poligona-v-roshale-vyzhigayut-ognem priznal-nezakonnym-obysk-v-shtab-kvartire-koordinatora- 8. https://vk.com/wall-56308476_247126 ekovahty

26 Status report 2019 been active in the “No Kolomna Landfill” ini- work of the enterprise stopped for a whole day, tiative group, which opposes the overuse of the which caused damage amounting to 13.9 million “Volovichi” solid waste landfill in the Kolomen- rubles (199,000 EUR / 1,990,000 NOK). Accor- sky urban district of the Moscow Region. On 31st ding to investigators, activist Vasily Moskovets January 2019, Egorov and 14 other Kolomna incited participants in the eco-movement to set activists underwent police raids. Computers and fire to the plant. telephones, as well as newspapers on the waste The trial began on 4th April 2018. In June issues, were seized from all of them. Egorov 2018, the court dropped the criminal case was detained for 48 hours and later charged of arson against the activists Asatullin and with “repeated violation”. From 2nd February, Medvedev, but the charges and trial against Egorov was under house arrest. On 30th July, Moskovets continued, keeping him in danger of Egorov was released from house arrest with the receiving a huge fine. Worse still, on 6th March prohibition of certain actions; from 26 Decem- 2019, the accusation brought against Vasily ber 2019, he remained subject to travel restric- Moskovets was made more serious, with the tions. The Memorial Human Rights Center has amount of potential damage to Tominsky GOK recognized Vyacheslav Egorov as a political increased almost 10 times to almost 125 million prisoner.12 rubles (1,786,000 EUR / 17,860,000 NOK). The Eco-activist Andrei Borovikov, a member of trial continues.14 the movement “Pomorie is not a dump”, op- In 2019, the pressure on anti-coal activists posing the Shies landfill, was also charged in also increased. On 29th August, the police rai- “repeated violation” of protests rules. On 2nd ded the homes of three Kuzbass activists Sergei May 2019, the court chose a preventive measure Sheremetyev, Vladimir Gorenkov, and Nikolai in the form of a ban on certain actions (to attend Metalnikov. All three were detained and taken mass events; communication with the organizers to the police station in Novokuznetsk. Raids and participants of a rally in April in Arkhan- took place in connection with the so-called arson gelsk; use of communication and the internet to of a bulldozer on 4th June at the Ananyinsky organize public events etc.). On 27th September Vostochny open pit mine near Apanas.15 After 2019, the Oktyabrsky District Court of Arkhan- the raid, laptops, printers, scanners, and all gelsk sentenced Borovikov to 400 hours of telephones were seized in Gorenkov’s house. A compulsory work.13 criminal case has been opened for intentional destruction of property. Other activists have the CRIMINAL PERSECUTION FOR status as witnesses.16 ALLEGED DAMAGE Legal claims for profit damages from companies MEDIA SMEAR towards protestors are another form of silencing Smear and slander, including in pro-govern- environmental defenders. mental media, remain a common problem, mar- Pressure continues through criminal prosecu- ginalizing activists and depriving them of public tion of the head of the Chelyabinsk movement support. This was one of the main goals of the Stop-GOK, a movement which fights against new Foreign Agent law, as presented in our previous copper mining and an enrichment plant outside reports.17 the Urals town of Chelyabinsk. Back in 2017, on Environmental NGOs often uncover dirty the night of 11th September, two activists of the businesses’ harmful activity. That environmen- Stop-GOK movement - Asatullin and Medvedev 14. http://activatica.org/blogs/view/id/6458/title/zash- - allegedly tried to set a fire to a pile of trees and chishchaesh-prirodu-i-zemlyakov-zaplati-ka-sotnyu-milli- a booth on the property of the enrichment plant. onov-ushcherba The investigation says that, because of this, the 15. https://tayga.info/148494

12. https://memohrc.org/ru/defendants/egorov-vyacheslav- 16. https://tayga.info/148606 valerevich 17. Pressure towards Russian environmental NGOs: Status 13. https://memohrc.org/ru/defendants/borovikov-andrey- of Russia’s Foreign Agents law and consequences for civil vladimirovich society in 2016, page 21

Status report 2019 27 talists bring this to public attention and speak closed nuclear mono-city Ozersk, was labeled a up against the potential damage is clearly in Foreign Agent in 2016.20 Despite that, Kutepova the interest of nature and an enlightened public continued her work in defense of Rosatom’s and conversation. However, instead of debating Mayak’s victims, investigated and uncovering properly and providing open information, state Ruthenium leaks. In 2019, she helped to orga- corporations spend millions of taxpayer’s money nize a play in the national theatre in Belgium on fixing their reputation, including discrediting about Mayak victims. The Russian state pro- critics. paganda TV channel followed by airing on 12th In addition to the three police raids during September a news story accusing the activist of 2019 and the still uninvestigated brutal attack being anti-Russian and working for the French on the activists of Environmental Watch on intelligence services.21 North Caucasus at the end of 201718, a coordina- In February 2020, the Mayak facility an- ted informational attack was undertaken against nounced public procurement of media services, Andrey Rudomakha, leader of the organization. which included favorable publications in media On 19th September 2019, anonymous libe- and monitoring of critical pages on the internet. lous posters claiming that Andrey Rudomakha Monitoring includes pages of politicians, and is a pedophile were plastered around the city environmental groups and activists like For of Krasnodar, Russia. These posters also inclu- Nature and Bellona, blogs of the Chelyabinsk re- ded libelous information about Environmental gion Governor Alexei Teksler, opposition leader Watch. The posters contained photographs of Alexei Navalny, activists Nadezhda Kutepova, Rudomakha, included his home address, and Greenpeace Russia, the Yabloko party, and phy- called to put an end to his allegedly illegal acti- sicist Andrei Ozharovsky. The initial purchase vity. At the same time as the posters were placed price is 5.8 million rubles (82 850 EUR / 828 around Krasnodar, an anonymous petition was 500 NOK).22 circulated on the online platform Change.org, calling to remove Rudomakha from the Krasno- dar Krai governor’s environmental council.19

Activist Nadezhda Kutepova had to flee Russia 20. There are more details of Kutepova›s story in our 2017 with her children, facing charges of espionage report Pressure towards Russian environmental NGOs: after her NGO Planet of Hope, operating from Status of Russia’s Foreign Agents law and consequences for civil society in 2016, page 21

18. Foreign Agent Law – reshaping Russian civil society: 21. https://www.vesti.ru/videos/show/vid/810694/ Environmental organizations’ status report 2017”, page 20 22. https://www.znak.com/2020-02-07/kombinat_rosa- 19. http://civicsolidarity.org/article/1623/international-civic- toma_zakazal_monitoring_telegram_kanalov_i_blogov_ solidarity-platform-condemns-recent-defamation-russian navalnogo_i_tekslera

28 Status report 2019 Pictures from the raid of the EWNC office in Krasnodar. Photo: EWNC

Status report 2019 29 Protest against incinerator in Kazan. (Photo: Activatica)

Climate strike in Novosibirsk. Photo: FFF Russia

30 Status report 2019 CONCLUSION

Russian environmentalists continue to struggle Environmental activists, recognized by the UN with severe conditions for Russian civil society. as environmental human rights defenders, are When people react to the worsened envi- targeted in different ways. Activists fight against ronmental situation, the authorities answer waste projects, either landfills or incinerators, with repression. Systemic problems in nature dirty energy, either nuclear or coal, climate protection, which were increasingly visible in change inaction, and forest and biodiversity de- 2019, lead to systematic pressure towards acti- struction. Activists and groups who are success- vists defending environmental rights, which is ful in challenging environmental destruction increasingly visible for the whole society. Those face persecution or reprisal from state institu- challenging powerful interests face a backlash tions, businesses, or unknown actors affiliated from the authorities and other actors. with either of these. This shows the systemic Russian authorities use a wide variety of mea- nature of pressure applied to cover up systemic sures to make it difficult to fight for environmen- problems in nature protection. tally friendly solutions. The measures include In 2019, we have seen the murder of an laws and regulations, such as the foreign agent activist fighting landfill construction. We have laws, denial or delays of permits to protest, noticed several attacks, housing and property heavy fines, and presenting environmentalists damages, criminal accusations, and police as untrustworthy and against “Russian inter- raids in offices, apartments and houses. Smear ests”. Activists are also attacked and even killed, campaigns against activists continued in state without protection from the authorities. Attacks media. Financial pressure took a prominent and threats are not investigated for years. place in persecution of activists, with countless At the same time, we have seen a rise in envi- fines draining resources from leaders and move- ronmental protests in Russia, primarily outside ments, at the same time urging protestors to stay of the established environmental movement, but away from joining next time. Legal claims from also in cooperation with existing organizations. companies for profit losses from protestors are a A likely explanation seems to be that people new form of silencing environmental defenders. feel that authorities have failed to address the The Russian state is able to pressure environ- problems that people experience, such as plan- mental activists with impunity, while failing to ned dump sites in their neighborhood. Also, adequately protect them from attacks or ensure people feel that they are not invited to give their the realization of rights to a favorable environ- opinion in a well-ordered way. The increased ment and health. This unjust trend will lead to environmental protests can be seen as partly a an ever-increasing number of conflicts, viola- reaction to, but at the same time also a reason tions of environmental rights, pressure towards for, increased pressure from the authorities. defenders, and more social tension.

Status report 2019 31 RECOMMENDATIONS

In this final chapter, we present demands to under international human rights law” Russian authorities, and some suggestions for 2During 2019, Friends of the Earth Russia3, readers that want to help Russian environmental as well as Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific4 and activists. Friends of the Earth Europe5, have demanded In today’s Russia, environmental activists changes in the Russian policy towards environ- (Environmental Human Rights Defenders mental activists. -EHRDs in UN language), face dangers and un- just barriers to their work. Struggles in defense TO RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES of human rights and the environment in Russia Russian authorities must ensure safe and free are important. Following the UN Human Rights work of environmental activists by making ne- Council resolution from 20th March 20191, the cessary changes to: Russian government is obligated to respect, • Allow and promote freedom to seek, receive, protect, and fulfill the rights of EHRDs. and impart information on environmental is- In the resolution, the Human Rights Council sues; wrote that they are: • Respect, protect, and fulfill human rights, “Gravely concerned that national security including in all actions undertaken to address and counter-terrorism legislation and other environmental challenges; measures, such as laws regulating civil society • Stop pressuring environmental activists organizations, are in some instances misused to (EHRDs); target human rights defenders or have hinde- • Repeal the “Foreign Agent” law and other re- red their work and endangered their safety in strictive legislation on NGOs and activities; and contravention of international law, and mind- ful that domestic law and administrative pro- 2. Recognizing the contribution of environmental human visions and their application should not hinder rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environ- but enable the work of human rights defenders, mental protection and sustainable development. Full text here: https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/ including by avoiding any criminalization, G19/088/48/PDF/G1908848.pdf?OpenElement stigmatization, impediments, discrimination, obstructions or restrictions thereof contrary 3. https://www.facebook.com/rusecounion/ posts/2737913949628110 to the obligations and commitments of States 4. https://foeasiapacific.org/portfolio/defending-territories- defending-our-lives-protecting-human-rights-and-the-envi- 1. https://www.norway.no/en/missions/eu/about-the-mis- ronment-in-asia-pacific-through-system-change/ sion/news-events-statements/news2/resolution-on-envi- ronmental-human-rights-defenders-adopted-in-un-human- 5. https://www.foeeurope.org/stop-repression-human-right- rights-council/ defenders-russia-020719

32 Status report 2019 • Investigate attacks and threats to environ- natural resource use and energy demand, and mental activists (EHRDs) and bring the perpe- increasing conflicts on environmental issues. trators to justice. In addition, Russian authorities should ensure TO THE READER wide public participation in decision-making For readers wondering what can be done to help processes on environmental and other issues, Russian environmental activists, a number of and make changes in their environmental policy actions could be done individually or together in to: an environmental group, as well as with authori- • Investigate and punish environmental vio- ties and politicians. lations, in order to better protect nature and the Here are some suggestions: environment, as well as environmental activists; 1. Information: Paying more attention to the • Ensure that competent authorities generate, situation in Russia, following and distributing collect, publicize, and disseminate environ- information about violations, and organizing in- mental information in a systematic, proactive, formation events to spread awareness about the timely, regular, accessible, and comprehensible struggles facing environmental activists in order manner, and periodically update that informa- to show solidarity. tion; 2. Pressure: Demanding that authorities and • Ratify the Espoo Convention (the Conven- politicians investigate violations, punish perpe- tion on Environmental Impact Assessment in a trators, repeal restrictive legislation for NGOs Transboundary Context); and activists, and ensure public participation in • Sign and ratify the Aarhus Convention (Con- decision-making process on environmental and vention on Access to Information, Public Partici- other issues. pation in Decision-making and Access to Justice 3. Support: Supporting grassroots activists’ in Environmental Matters); work by organizing solidarity events, coope- • Agree to and ratify the UN Binding Treaty on rating on common environmental issues, and the accountability of transnational corporations; bringing forward their opinions and campaigns. • Establish regulations to limit overconsump- Solidarity is stronger than repression. tion, which has been driving current levels of

RSEU youth program. Photo: RSEU

Status report 2019 33 ANNEX 1: NGOS LABELED FOREIGN AGENTS IN 2019

This list is based on information from the Mi- 7. Non-profit organization «Anti-Corrup- nistry of Justice news updates. However, this tion Fund», Moscow / Некоммерческая information is not visible as a list on their web организация «Фонд борьбы с коррупцией», page anymore, as it was before.1 As well as this, Москва (09.10.2019) we did not see such a complete list published 8. Ingush Regional Public Organization «In- anywhere. We find this information relevant and stitute of Social Change», Republic of Ingushetia therefore we have chosen to re-establish the list / Ингушская региональная общественная for 2019 in this report. организация «Институт социальных The complete list of Undesirable organizations изменений», Республика Ингушетия and the list of Media – Foreign Agents are still (18.10.2019) available at the Ministry of Justice web page. 9. Autonomous non-profit organiza- tion of information and legal services 1. The All-Russian Public Movement for the «Civil Initiative Against Environmental Human Rights Protection «For Human Rights», Crime» / Автономная некоммерческая Moscow / Общероссийское общественное организация информационных и движение защиты прав человека «За права правовых услуг «Гражданская инициатива человека», Москва (12.02.2019) против экологической преступности», 2. Nonprofit organization «Foundation Краснодарский край (25.10.2019) for the Prisoners› Rights Protection», Mos- 10. Nonprofit Organization Foundation cow / Некоммерческая организация фонд «Legal Initiative», Republic of Ingushetia «В защиту прав заключенных», Москва / Некоммерческая Организация Фонд (13.02.2019) «Правовая инициатива», Республика 3. Regional Public Organization for the Pro- Ингушетия (13.12.2019) motion of Human Rights «Hotline», Moscow 11. Nonprofit Organization Fund «Public Fund / Региональная общественная организация for Social Development» Genesis «, Republic of содействия соблюдению прав человека Ingushetia / Некоммерческая Организация «Горячая Линия», Москва (13.02.2019) Фонд «Общественный Фонд Социального 4. Public Organization «Saratov Regio- Развития «Генезис», Республика Ингушетия nal Jewish Charity Center «Hasdei Erusha- (13.12.2019) laim» (Charity), Saratov / Общественная организация «Саратовский областной еврейский благотворительный Центр «Хасдей Ерушалаим» (Милосердие), Саратов (12.03.2019) 5. Private Institution “Center for Support and Promotion of Mass Media Development”, Moscow / Частное учреждение «Центр поддержки и содействия развитию средств массовой информации», Москва (19.02.2019) 6. Penza Regional Public Charity Fund «Civil Union», Penza / Пензенский региональный общественный благотворительный фонд «Гражданский Союз», Пенза (15.05.2019)

1. http://unro.minjust.ru/NKOForeignAgent.aspx

34 Status report 2019 ANNEX 2: FULL LIST OF ENVI- RONMENTAL NGOS REGISTE- RED AS FOREIGN AGENTS

UPDATED JANUARY 2020

Red – shut down Annex 2: Table of Environmental Foreign Agents 3 Interregional Charity 39 4 Jewish Regional Branch of the 35 3 2 15 Public Kaliningrad Regional 10 1 # of # all Environmental Center” Organization “Siberian "Municipal Academy" Russian Public Organization member) RSEU (leader Development” Associationfor “Partnership Womens’ Council” Organization “Ecodefence! – Name Name Blue – left the register Full list of environmental NGOs registered as Foreign Agents

ioiza 2.121 2.521 su on One of the reasons for 12.02.2015 27.12.2017 shut down Novosibirsk Main pressure has been 22.05.2015 26.01.2015 shut down Birobidzhan 06.11.2015 02.10.2014 Saratov 21.07.2014 Kaliningrad republic etc) (oblast, Region Region Black – still in the register Updated January 2020 into register into Date written 2015 2014 46

register exiting the Date for

htdw Their political activity is the shut down the register Reason to exit

activists. petition to free Arctic-30 environmental seminar. organized an signing them in is that they Pitsuova. head of the NGO, Olga streamed personally to the Foreign agents.Foreign fines for not reporting as Agents and keep getting requirements for Foreign Comments Keep denying following

Status report 2019 35 5 43 Chelyabinsk Ecological Social Chelyabinsk 06.03.2015 18.04.2017 Closed down by Both were added at the Movement "For nature" (leader Supreme court same time, even though RSEU member) because of the movement didn’t have MinJustice any finances. But the lawsuit Ministry of Justice decided that there is a connection 6 44 Chelyabinsk Regional Chelyabinsk 06.03.2015 13.12.2016 Closed down by because the two Charitable Social Foundation court because organizations had a "For nature" (leader RSEU of MinJustice common leader. member) lawsuit

7 48 Murmansk Regional Public Murmansk 19.03.2015 16.10.2015 shut down Environmental Organization "Bellona-Murmansk" 8 49 "Educational Center for Samara 20.03.2015 8.10.2015 Proved that they Environment and Security» did not have foreign funding for a year 9 51 Rostov City Public Rostov-on- 03.04.2015 30.03.2016 Proved that they Organization"Eco-Logic" Don did not have foreign funding for a year 10 53 Ozerskaya Urban Socio- Chelyabinsk 15.04.2015 27.09.2018 shut down Leader Nadezhda Environmental NGO Planet of region Kutepova had to flee the hope country because of danger of state treason accusation. 11 65 Nizhny Novgorod Regional Nizhny 22.05.2015 22.05.2015 shut down Stopped receiving foreign Public Organization "Ecological Novgorod funding almost a year

Center "Dront"" (RSEU before labelling. Only a member)

47

Status report 2019 36 Status report small donation from Bellona-Murmansk, as well as a loan from another NGO that received foreign funds, and a grant from orthodox 2019 37 Status report church affiliated foundation with money from offshore in Cyprus (see more in 2015 report) 12 75 Altai regional public organization Barnaul, Altay 23.06.2015 19.01.2017 shut down "Geblerovskoe Ecological krai Society" 13 78 Interregional public organization the Republic 8.07.2015 08.07.2016 shut down Continue their work as "The Northern Environmental of Karelia newly registered regional Coalition" NGO 14 Altaj ecological and cultural Altai region 22.7.2015 28.03.2016 shut down public foundation “Altaj 21st century” 15 83 Nizhny Novgorod ecological Nizhny 29.07.2015 28.10.2016 Proved that they public non-profit organization Novgorod did not have "Green World" region foreign funding for a year 16 88 Interregional Social Ecological Novosibirsk 26.08.2015 19.12.2017 shut down Foundation "ISAR-Siberia" 17 93 Regional public organization Sakhalin 18.09.2015 16.02.2017 Proved that they Even though the NGO “Sakhalin Environment Watch” region did not have returned the money to the foreign funding donor (DiCaprio for a year foundation), it wasn’t removed from the register until February 2017.

48

18 95 Society for the Protection of Moscow 05.10.2015 05.10.2015 Proved that they Consumer Rights and the region did not have Environment «Printsip» foreign funding for a year 19 99 Krasnoyarsk regional public Krasnoyarsk 28.10.2015 28.11.2016 shut down Was labelled even they environmental organization krai didn’t have any money ”Friends of Siberian forests” since the Foreign Agent (RSEU member) law came into force. So the law was implemented retrospective. 20 102 Irkutsk regional public Irkutsk 10.11.2015 01.08.2016 shut down Continue their work as a organization “Baikal new RSEU regional environmental Wave” (RSEU branch. member) 21 106 Public charity environmental Sosnovy Bor, 02.12.2015 06.02.2017 shut down Took decision to close organization “Green World” Leningrad down and continue work in (leader RSEU member) region another form 22 111 Baikal regional public institution Chita, Chita 30.12.2015 01.09.2016 shut down “Public Environmental Center region Dauria” 2016 23 125 Regional public environmental Altai Republic, 05.04.2016 06.10.2016 shut down organization of the Altai Gorno-Altaisk Republic "Arkhar" 24 127 Regional public Altai Republic 17.05.2016 20.06.2017 shut down environmentalborganization "Ecological soul’s school "Tengri", 25 142 Inter-regional environmental and Krasnodar 13.09.2016 10.01.2018 Proved that they Members’ participation in human rights public organisation region did not have actions for nature "Environmental Watch on North foreign funding protection considered as a Caucasus" (RSEU member) “political activity” of the

for a year NGO. Receiving finances

49

Status report 2019 38 Status report by members of the NGO was considered as NGO’s “foreign funding”. 26 147 Chapaevsk local public Chapaevsk, 21.10.2016 2019 Proved that they Working with effects of organization "Association of Samara did not have pollution to human health

medical workers of the region. foreign funding 2019 39 Status report Chapaevsk city" 2017 27 156 Environmental Human Rights St.Petersburg 16.01.2017 08.06.2017 shut down Center Bellona 28 157 Youth Public Organization of Altay kray 25.01.2017 19.02.2018 shut down Foreign funding from Soloneshensky District "Pro- 2014-2015. Formally Motion" stopped acting in the fall of 2016. 29 160 Murmansk Regional Public Apatity, 20.04.2017 07.08.2017 - Proved that they But decided to close down Organisation Kola Murmansk delisted did not have the NGO anyway, which Environmental Center region 15.06.2018 – foreign funding happened in 2018 (RSEU member) shut down for a year in 2017. 30 161 Fund for the Promotion of Syktyvkar, 14.06.2017 Sustainable Development Republic of "Silver Taiga" Komi

31 164 Arkhangelsk regional youth Arkhangelsk 01.09.2017 15.05.2018 Shut down environmental public region organization "Aetas" (RSEU member) 2019 32 Autonomous non-profit Krasnodar organization of information and region 25.10.2019 legal services "Civil Initiative against Environmental Crime"

50

The Russian Social-Ecological Union (RSEU) is a non- governmental, non-profit and member based democratic organization, established in 1992. RSEU brings together public organizations and active citizens from all regions of Russia. All RSEU activities are aimed at nature conser- vation, protection of health and the wellbeing of people in Russia and around the world. In 2014, RSEU became the Russian member of Friends of the Earth.

Naturvernforbundet/Friends of the Earth Norway has over many years worked closely with Russian environmental organizations. The cooperation has been helpful for both sides on a wide range of environmental topics.