(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) VIENNA, Jan 26 (KUNA) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called on Russia, on Thursday to reconsider its decision to close the country's oldest human rights organization.
The (OSCE)'s office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a press statement that the decision of Moscow City Court to liquidate Russia's oldest human rights organization, the Moscow Helsinki Group.
It is contrary to the commitments made by all OSCE countries to respect the freedom to form and join associations, the (ODIHR) added.
The statement stated that this human rights group, established in 1976 with the aim of monitoring the implementation of what was stated in the Helsinki Final Document issued by the (OSCE), has been active in protecting human rights throughout Russia.
It stressed that all (OSCE) countries have explicitly recognized the importance of freedom of association for democracy, as well as the vital role of civil society in improving respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy.
ODIHR believes that this move further undermines freedom of association in the Russian Federation, and calls on the Russian authorities to reconsider and reverse the decision, while reiterating its offer to assist them in ensuring a safe and enabling space for civil society. (end)
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