NO. 1 1793 САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГ-ТАЙМС WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014 WWW.SPTIMES.RU CHRIS GORDON / SPT Thousands of the faithful began lining up at 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning in sub-zero temperatures for the chance to glimpse relics reputed to be fragments of the legendary ADORATION Gifts of the Magi. On display at the Novodevichy Convent until Friday afternoon, hundreds of thousands of worshipers are expected to bow before the cherished objects. РЕКЛАМА LOCAL NGO Forced Into Submission Local charity ADC Memorial suspends operations after running afoul of the law. Page 2. LocalNews www.sptimes.ru | Wednesday, January 15, 2014 ❖ 2 NGO Forced to Shut Following Court Ruling By Sergey Chernov THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES The St. Petersburg-based Anti-Dis- crimination Center Memorial has closed its offices due to continued pres- sure from the authorities. Most of its activities, however, are to be taken over by a new international organization, the NGO’s former pro- gram director Stephania Kulayeva told The St. Petersburg Times on Monday. The new organization is to be called ADC Memorial but will be based out- side of Russia. On Dec. 12, Leninsky District court judge Anna Moroz declared the NGO a “foreign agent,” the first such ruling in Russia since legislation passed in 2012 requiring any organization which received foreign funding and engaged in political activity to register as a for- eign agent. Large-scale inspections of NGOs to determine compliance with the law began in March 2013. The NGO’s report “Roma People, Migrants, Activists — Victims of Police Arbitrariness,” which was prepared by the organization for the 49th session of the UN Committee Against Torture in 2012, was used as the chief item of evi- / SPT CHERNOV SERGEY dence against the organization. ADC Memorial’s Jan. 19, 2013 anti-fascist vigil on Pionerskaya Ploshchad in memory of human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova . “We have concluded all of our proj- ects and let everyone go. ADC Memo- ing, we will face criminal prosecution,” regation of children in schools, about ecution for communicating with or bly, association, speech and informa- rial now exists as an ‘empty’ organiza- she said. police violence against defenceless providing information to the Commit- tion,” Committee Chairman Claudio tion in the process of being closed,” “That means we either have to fulfil people guilty only of their appearance tee,” George Tugushi, CAT’s rappor- Grossman said. Kulayeva said. the requirements of the ruling or hurry and about the catastrophic conditions teur on reprisals said in a statement Due to the imminent closure of the “It still exists legally, but is no longer to close [the organization].” facing migrants and the Roma people released on Dec. 23. NGO, an annual anti-fascist vigil that functional. Our website and our ongoing both socially and economically. We Under the Convention, “Steps shall ADC Memorial held in the past in work will continue under the name of failed to have the standards of Russian be taken to ensure that the complain- memory of human rights lawyer Stan- ADC Memorial, but as an international and international law applied to the ant and witnesses are protected against islav Markelov and journalist Anasta- organization based outside of Russia. “ADC Memorial groups and people that we defended.” all ill-treatment or intimidation as a sia Baburova, who were gunned down “We will continue to pursue ADC The Dec. 12 ruling came as a sur- consequence of his complaint or any by neo-Nazis in Moscow on January Memorial’s chief activities — mainly now exists as an prise to the group because three courts evidence given,” Tugushi noted. 19, 2009, will this year take place with- the defence of vulnerable groups such ‘empty’ organization had previously thrown out the case due The Committee said it had previ- out the NGO’s involvement. as the Roma and migrants as well as to inconsistencies and the the lack of ously called on the Russian authorities This year’s event is due to be held as other minorities. We had to withdraw in the process of the grounds for the original inspection. to ensure that ADC Memorial and a “piket” – a stationary rally without the from several projects where we needed Prosecutors returned to the courts other NGOs would not face reprisals as use of amplified sound – on the Field of to work closely with state institutions, being closed.” with a civil lawsuit which contained the a result of their legitimate activities, in- Mars at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19. City such as schools and universities, but previous charges and also stated that cluding providing information to CAT. Hall refused to authorize a march or a they also won’t vanish, we simply won’t In a statement released on Dec. 31, the NGO’s “entire activities” violated “CAT is concerned with any mea- full-scale rally due to a technicality. be the ones conducting them.” 2013, ADC Memorial summed up the the “foreign agent” law. sure that undermines the indepen- “We applied on Jan. 9, the first According to Kulayeva, most of the results of its activities for the nearly six In December, the UN Committee dence and activities of non-govern- working day of the year, but they re- group’s analytical and human rights ad- years it had operated since opening in Against Torture criticized the ruling as mental organizations. The actions by fused to grant our request due to the vocacy work will be conducted via its 2007. violating international treaties. the Russian prosecutors against Me- fact that only nine working days re- website. “We managed to do a lot, but failed “Russia is a state party to the Con- morial reflect a worrying shift in the mained before the date, rather than 10 Kulayeva said she would appeal the to do even more,” it said. vention Against Torture and as such legislative environment governing the as required by law,” said Pyotr Kras- Dec. 12 ruling with the St. Petersburg “We managed to defend the rights should ensure that no group faces pros- enjoyment of the freedoms of assem- nov, formerly of ADC Memorial. City Court in the near future. of hundreds of people, but failed to “The bad news is that if the City stop discriminatory practices. We man- Court agrees with the lower court’s rul- aged to inform the world about the seg- ALL ABOUT TOWN РЕКЛАМА Wednesday, Jan. 15 Friday, Jan. 17 Concert Hall today. Featuring en- Honor the birthday of celebrated Local KHL team SKA St. Petersburg sembles and soloists from Russia, Russian poet Osip Mandelstam by faces off against Moscow Oblast club Ukraine, Serbia and Austria, the fes- listening to a reading of some of his HC Vityaz at 7:30 p.m in one of their tival promises to bring together vari- most famous work today at the Anna final home games before the Olympics ous cultures once divided by the tides Akhmatova museum. Call 579 7239 start. Tickets are still available online of war. for more information about tickets on SKA’s website or they can be pur- and museum hours. chased either at their arena next to Monday, Jan. 20 For fans of Scottish rock band Prospekt Bolshevikov metro station or Take the family to the Peter and Paul Mogwai, watch “The Recording of at any of their merchandise stores. Fortress on the Petrograd side to see Mr. Beast,” a documentary detailing AmCham will be hosting an Au- the ice sculptures on display. Illus- the production of their fifth album in tomotive Committee meeting today trating various Russian fairy tales Glasgow spliced with scenes from at their office. Check their website and giving shape to childhood fanta- their live performances. Join fellow for more details. sies, the sculptures will be on display fans at GEZ-21 on the third floor of until the beginning of March despite Pushkinskaya 10 starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 the less than freezing temperatures. If you’re feeling nostalgic for the Thursday, Jan. 16 British musical invasion of the 1960s Tuesday, Jan. 21 Join the British Book Center for an or simply want to discuss the implied Meet photographer Dmitri Korablev English movie during their Film Club messages of famous English songs at the Bukvoed bookstore on Plo- from 6 to 8 p.m. at their location at and albums, then check out the Brit- schad Vosstanya starting at 8 p.m. this 18 Izmailovsky Prospekt. “Travels ish Book Center’s Piano Club start- evening. Listen as he discusses his ca- With My Aunt,” a comedy starring ing at 4 p.m. this afternoon. All are reer in photography and presents his Maggie Smith detailing a mourning invited to sing along or debate such newest book of portraits. son’s unexpected adventure with his important questions as which Beatle If you’d rather talk than listen, deceased mother’s sister, is the movie was the most talented. check out the American Council’s of choice for this meeting. weekly discussion club at their loca- For those looking to start the new Sunday, Jan. 19 tion near the corner of the Nab. Reki year off with a change in attitude, at- The final day of Epiphany Evenings, Moiki and Ulitsa Gorokhovaya. This tend Anastasia Borisova’s presenta- an international music festival com- way, you can talk about what you tion on effective life-management at memorating the 100th anniversary of love as well as meet new and inter- the Bukvoed bookstore on Ploschad the outbreak of World War I, finishes esting people trying to master the 16+ Vosstanya starting at 7 p.m.