The European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada have condemned Russian courts' decisions to close a Russian human rights organization, the Anatolian Agency reported.
"We condemn the decisions of two Russian courts to forcibly close the International Memorial and the Memorial Center for Human Rights," the parties said in a joint statement issued late Friday.
The document refutes claims by Russian authorities that Memorial's work "justifies extremism and terrorism", saying the organization has "played a unique role in documenting historical crimes" and uncovering human rights abuses over the past 30 years.
They also noted that the Memorial ruling is part of Russia's systematic repression of human rights defenders, independent media and journalists, members of the political opposition and critical voices, as well as religious minority groups and other marginalized groups ".
The countries called on Russia to comply with its international human rights obligations and reiterated criticism of Russian legislation on "foreign agents" aimed at silencing civil society organizations.
Moscow's city court and Russia's Supreme Court have ordered the closure of two organizations this week, citing a law on "foreign agents."
Memorial has gained an international reputation for its research on Soviet-era political repression, especially under Joseph Stalin, as well as advocacy for human rights by maintaining a list of political prisoners and exposing abuses in Russia, including the North Caucasus.
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