On 6 May at 3 pm we will picket at the front of Russian Embassy in London to show our outrage at political repressions organized by the corrupt Russian state acting against its people. We invite everyone to join our multitude of voices!

We come out in solidarity with the people of Russia who protest on the 6 May in Moscow in defense of Bolotnaya square political prisoners. The case started a year ago after a brutal police provocation happened during the mass rally on Bolotnaya Square and is under international human rights investigation. At that day a year ago Russians went to the streets to oppose the inauguration of Vladimir Putin but faced sudden eruption of police violence. By now this case counts 28 political prisoners.

On the 6 May we come out to say:

SOLIDARITY WITH BOLOTNAYA PROTEST!

STOP REPRESSIONS! STOP CRIMINALIZING ACTIVISM!

FREE 6 MAY PRISONERS NOW!

FREE PUSSY RIOT NOW!

FREE ALEXEY GASKAROV NOW!

F R E E R U S S I A N O W !

A number of leading international human rights NGO’s, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, ARTICLE 19, FIDH, European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights, International Civil Initiative for OSCE (ICI OSCE), the international platform “Civic Solidarity” and the International Protection Center, have announced the establishment of an International Commission of Experts to provide an independent assessment of the circumstances leading to the violence related to the mass demonstrations in Moscow on Bolotnaya Square, which took place almost a year ago on 6 May 2012.

The commission was initiated in response to an appeal for such an assessment by a number of Russian journalists and public commentators, which they sent to several Russian and international NGOs in 2012. The commission will complement already existing initiatives in Russia, which work on the so called “Bolotnaya Square cases.” 

The mass demonstration on Bolotnaya Square on 6 May 2012 was a continuation of mass protests that started in Russia following the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The day itself was also the day preceding Putin’s second inauguration, and people came out on to the streets to demonstrate their disagreement with his return to office, the result of both elections and government policies. None of the demonstrators or organisers of the protest expected any difficulties. However it was violently dispersed, and clashes with police followed. The authorities now consider the demonstration to have been an orchestrated mass riot, and 28 people have been charged with either organizing or participating in violent mass disorder. 

The Commission will assess the circumstances leading to the violence of 6 May on Bolotnaya Square in respect of current human rights standards and practices to which Russia, as a member state of the United Nations, Council of Europe and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, has acceded. The Commission consists of leading international experts in the sphere of human rights, in particular relating to the right of assembly and police practice. The experts will, for example, assess the degree of proportionality, the need and legality of the use of violence by the police and anti-riot squads. They will also assess the degree of responsibility for the violence and destruction of public property by the organizers, as well as the protesters themselves. The composition of the Commission will permit a thorough, independent and impartial analysis of the events that took place on Bolotnaya square on 6 May 2012 in the light of international standards relating to freedom of assembly and policing of demonstrations and protests, and enable a conclusion as to whether these events should qualify as mass riots. 

Members of the Commission will use their extensive experience of involvement in public investigations into similar events at large scale public demonstrations. Among similar protests that have been investigated by the Commission's experts are violent mass riots in Northern Ireland, post-election protests in Moldova in 2009, protests in Belarus after the presidential elections in 2010, and the dispersal of “Occupy Wall-street” in the USA in 2011. 

The work of the Commission will be based on a step by step analysis of evidence, as presented by the authorities, including statements by government officials, as well as information collected via other independent investigations and monitoring, including photos and videos of the events. The work of the Commission is supported by a number of leading human rights groups in Russia. 

The initiating organizations set up the Commission to increase the attention of inter-governmental institutions, foreign media and state actors to the situation in Russia during and after the events of 6 May 2012. They consider this day to have been a turning point in the approach of the Russian authorities towards the observance and protection of human rights, and show the Russian state to have taken a path towards the further restriction of fundamental freedoms and limitation of space for civil society actors. 

The commission will produce two publications, including an interim and final report, with a chronology of the events of 6 May. The experts will include an analysis of the trials of those accused of organizing ‘mass riots’ on 6 May and will develop a list of recommendation for the Russian authorities on how to amend the current legal framework and law-enforcement practices to ensure adherence to the right to peaceful assembly in accordance with international human rights standards.

All questions about the work of the Commission can be addressed to: 

Nathalie Losekoot, +44-796-985-60-69 
secretariat@6maycommission.org 
www.6maycommission.org

EHRAC is currently recruiting for two positions to join our legal team at our office in London.

The Legal Officer is a full time position. The job purpose is: 

• To work in conjunction with the Senior Lawyer to develop and supervise EHRAC’s new programme of litigation support for lawyers and NGO’s in Armenia taking cases before the European Court of Human Rights.
• To assist the Senior Lawyer (and/or Director) in the delivery of EHRAC’s international litigation strategy in all our target countries by means of litigation support, capacity building; advocacy; training and the dissemination of information.

The Senior Legal Advisor is a part time position. The job purpose is:

• To work in conjunction with EHRAC’s Director to implement and develop EHRAC’s international human rights litigation programme in target countries. 
• To lead on/assist with (as appropriate to need) the delivery of EHRAC’s core functions, to include: human rights litigation and advocacy; human rights capacity building; training; raising awareness and the dissemination of information.

More information about these positions and how to apply can be found at http://www.mdx.ac.uk/aboutus/Work/vacancies/index.aspx.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 17 February 2013, and that applications must be submitted online to Middlesex University, as per the instructions to be found at the link, and not directly to EHRAC.

Full-time Job Vacancy: Researcher on Russia

Application Deadline: 28 January 2013

Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking a Researcher to monitor human rights developments in Russia. This position reports to a Deputy Director in the Europe and Central Asia ("ECA") Division. 

Responsibilities:
1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, government agencies and others in the field;

2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;

3. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;

4. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;

5. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the Russian and international media;

6. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW's work complements and enhances their work;

7. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;

8. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;

9. Travel throughout Russia and internationally, as required, to conduct fact-finding and engage in advocacy;

10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the ECA division; and

11. Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:
Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is desirable.

Experience: Extensive experience working and living in Russia is required.

Language: Excellent oral and written communication skills in Russian and English are required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:
1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the area of specialty is required.

2. Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.

3. Ability to identify emerging human rights issues in Russia and to prioritize them for HRW work.

4. Ability to work quickly in times of crisis to document and report on human rights issues.

5. Ability to identify and advise the Europe and Central Asia division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.

6. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is required.

7. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability are required.

8. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.

9. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

10. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

11. Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and Russian media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals is desirable.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to ecajobs@hrw.org. Please use "Russia Researcher Ref ECA-12-1066-A" as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

Human Rights Watch began in 1978 with the founding of its Europe and Central Asia division (then known as Helsinki Watch). Its primary goal was to monitor the implementation of human rights provisions established by the Helsinki Accords within the Soviet Union. Today, the division's work has expanded well beyond monitoring the Helsinki provisions to include gathering detailed information on human rights abuses throughout Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. In addition to publishing reliable and comprehensive reports, the ECA division effects change through advocacy. The ECA holds accountable not only governments who abuse internationally recognized human rights, but also those who support abusive governments. The ECA division seeks to expand the implementation of human rights law in all of Europe and Central Asia.

Sputnik Theatre

16th of November 2012 - a significant date... 

Dear friends,

Russia is rarely out of the news these days with the ongoing protests and the sentencing of Pussy Riot. But one story which is just as intriguing and Kafka-esque is the life and death of Sergei Magnitsky.

The 16th of November 2012 will be the third anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky's death in police custody.

This year, Elena Gremina - one of Russia's most important political playwrights, recently commissioned by the Tricycle Theatre as part of 'The Bomb' - has updated her play, One Hour Eighteen Minutes, to include the very latest developments of this story about Sergei Magnitsky, the whistleblower against government corruption. Gremina's play is based on original, first-hand interviews.

The updated version of the play is being launched at Teatr.doc in Moscow at exactly the same time as Sputnik's London production.

We're delighted to welcome such a strong cast and creative team to Sputnik's forthcoming show. You can read more about them below... We hope to see you there!

Noah Birksted-Breen, Sputnik artistic director and coproducer
& Margarita Osepyan, Sputnik coproducer


BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO ONE HOUR EIGHTEEN MINUTES (13 Nov to 1 Dec 2012)

Special offers 

1st Preview, Tuesday 13th Nov: 5 pounds only

2nd Preview, Wednesday 14th Nov: 7.50 pounds only

(No discount code needed - just book via theatre website).

Cast and creative team announced... 

Wendy Nottingham - recently in Grief' at the National, written and directed by Mike Leigh, and 'In Basildon' by David Eldridge at the Royal Court.... 
Alan Francis - credits include several plays written and directed by Anthony Neilson, and work in top theatres incl. Royal Court and the National Theatre of Scotland.... 
Danny Scheinmann - credits include the The Ramayana at the National Theatre and Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch...
Rebecca Peyton - co-wrote and acted, Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister, to critical acclaim at the Finborough, with credits at Soho, Theatre 503/Latitude... 
takis - stage designer, designed Stovepipe which The Times listed in their 'Top 10 productions of the Decade' from 2000-2010. 
Ed Clarke - sound designer, part of the team which got an Olivier nomination for Best Sound Design for the National's Frankenstein 
Charlie Lucas - lighting designer, recently did lighting design for the world premiere of The Match Box by Frank McGuinness at the Liverpool Playhouse and works for companies as diverse as Opera North, Arcola and The Place. 
Ben Chessell - video designer, award-winning TV and film director, who returns to the stage for a second collaboration with Sputnik. 
Realised by production manager Tim Highman(tim@the-scenery-shop.co.uk), and stage manager Nina Scholar during a gap between productions at the RSC. Our thanks to assistant director Elizabeth Moore and other hard-working volunteers. 

Organized by Speak Up!

When: From 12:00 to 14:00, Saturday, 15 September 2012

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/116445048503376/

Slogans of the rally:

For honest, legitimate government!
For a free Russia without Putin!
For fresh elections!

For the release of political prisoners and an end to repression!
For social justice!

Demonstration supporting Global "Pussy Riot" Day in London, on Saturday, 15 September, from 11 am till 2 pm, opposite the Russian Consulate at Bayswater Road.