Panel Talk
Part I Panel Talk
OLEG ORLOV, Moderator
Board Chairman / HRC “Memorial”
Opening of the round table discussion on the issue of differentiation between political prisoners and the majority of those sitting behind bars. The relevance of the topic in light of the demands made at the Bolotnaya and Sakharova protest rallies. Is it necessary to make a separate distinction for political prisoners? Under what criteria may they be defined as political prisoners? How do political prisoners differ from prisoners of conscience? Statements from the round table’s participants.
SERGEY DAVIDIS
Head of Support Programme for Political Prisoners / HRC “Memorial”
Coordinator / Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Different approaches to the definition of “political prisoners.” The criteria used by Memorial’s support programme for political prisoners and the Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. Is it necessary to distinguish between the notion of a “prisoner of conscience” (an individual prosecuted on the basis of no guilt and in relation to his convictions and affiliations) and “political prisoner.” The two sides to the issue of cases of political prisoners: there is a political motive on the authorities’ part as well as serious violations, clear selectivity, or even failings in the investigation of what the person may have committed. The authorities’ political motive marks out political prisoners from the rest of those unfairly sentenced. While there is not enough information regarding the cases, clear doubts must be interpreted in the prisoners’ favour. Prisoners of conscience must be immediately freed; political prisoners must have the right to a fair court examination.
FRIEDERIKE BEHR
Researcher / Amnesty International’s Moscow office
Amnesty International’s immediate goal is the release of all prisoners of conscience, persecuted for their beliefs and not accused of committing violent crimes. All prisoners of conscience are political prisoners, but not all political prisoners are prisoners of conscience. The authorities’ political motives, in violation of the prisoner’s rights, make him/her a political prisoner even if he/she is guilty. The discussion of the problem of political prisoners is an argument for effective reform of the judicial system.
NATALIA KHOLMOGOROVA
Executive Director / Russian Public Movement
Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and analogous others, forming part of the “legislation on anti-extremism,” should be seen as political and their removal demanded. All those convicted under these articles must be considered as prisoners of conscience and rehabilitated. All those convicted for taking part in “unsanctioned” public events, “insubordination” or “resistance to the police” during the course of these events must be regarded as prisoners of conscience and rehabilitated, since the very notion of “unsanctioned events” is unconstitutional. Fabricated criminal charges must be examined on an individual basis; in disputed cases, demand an independent and public review of the case. Charges artificially made more serious by reference to Article 282 etc. must be reviewed.
ALEXANDER CHERKASOV
Board Member / HRC “Memorial”
Unlike the Soviet government, the Russian state does not recognise political prisoners as such, not even inderectly, e.g. by creating a special register of politically motivated cases. There is a problem of unacceptable detention conditions for all prisoners, not just political ones. To recognise them as political prisoners, absolute confidence in the innocence of individuals convicted of committing violent crimes is necessary. It is unacceptable to speculate on the topic of political prisoners in order to achieve present-day political goals.
ZOYA SVETOVA
Journalist, human rights activist
Multiple lists of political prisoners mislead the public. Political prisoners belong to different categories, and many of them are persecuted as a result of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and FSB’s institutional interests, rather than for their beliefs. An Advisory Council of lawyers and other relevant individuals is vital for the examination of cases of alleged political prisoners beginning with controversial ones.
OLEG ORLOV, Moderator
Board Chairman / HRC “Memorial”
Sums up the talks.
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