08/11/2019 (Agence Europe) – The spokeswoman of the European External Action Service denounced, on Thursday 7 November, the decision of the Russian courts, at the request of the Ministry of Justice, to dissolve one of the oldest human rights organisations, the “Movement for Human Rights”, and the Centre for the Support of Indigenous Peoples of the North. “It is essential to create favourable conditions for state support for NGOs and to foster an open and inclusive environment for their growth”, she said in a statement. According to her, this “worrying” development goes against an independent and active civil society, “an essential element of any democracy”. The fundamental right to freedom of association is enshrined in the Russian Constitution and is part of Russia’s international obligations, the spokesperson emphasised. (CG)