France denounces the new pressure exerted by the Russian authorities against the Memorial organization, co-winner of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. On March 21, the historic premises of Memorial and the homes of several leaders of the organization as well as those of their family members, absurdly accused by the authorities of “rehabilitating Nazism”, were targeted by searches. They were also questioned by the Russian authorities.
This campaign of intimidation follows the searches of the regional branch of Memorial in Perm from 11 to 13 March. These measures are part of the general context of the repression of Russian civil society organizations and of Russia’s instrumentalization of the history of the Second World War and the Soviet period, in order to justify its war of aggression. against Ukraine.
France has repeatedly praised the action of Memorial. His remarkable scientific work in favor of a better knowledge of the mass crimes of the 20th century through the collection of archives, the testimonies and studies of historians, constitutes an essential contribution to contemporary history, to the rehabilitation of the victims of repressions and more generally to the collective memory. It is essential to preserve this unique organization by its scope and its action in favor of historical research on the tragedies of the past, access to Russian historical heritage, European collective memory and the defense of human rights. .
