Event
Breakfast seminar: The state of freedom of speech in Russia
Place: Nobel Peace Center
*Audience without a ticket are also welcome! The tickets are mostly for keeping count of approximately how many that will be attending.
How are basic human rights and freedom of speech affected by Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine?
Two brave women, who continue Anna Politkovskaya’s work – 16 years after her death, will be in our panel. They are:
Galina Arapova, director and senior media lawyer of the NGO Mass Media Defence Centre.
Elena Milashina, leading investigative journalist for Novaya Gazeta.
Free admission. A light breakfast will be served.
Programme:
08:00: Doors open. Breakfast is served.
08:30: Introduction by Berit Lindeman, The Norwegian Helsinki Committtee
08:40: Panel discussion led by Ane Tusvik Bonde, Human Rights House Foundation.
09:30: End
The breakfast seminar opens Anna Politkovskaya day; a full day of events honouring Anna Politkovskaya’s memory.
Anna Politkovskaya (1958–2006) was a Russian journalist, author and human rights defender. During Russia’s second war against Chechnya, she became famous for her investigative journalism at Novaya Gazeta and critique of the Putin’s regime. In her articles and lectures she often warned against Putin, stating that if he was not stopped, he would destroy Russian democracy and ignite more wars.
On October 7, 2006, while on her way back home, Politkovskaya was shot dead in the elevator of her apartment building.
Since then, the Russian authorities have steadily and systematically increased control over society. After Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, the situation has deteriorated dramatically. State censorship is introduced, over 350 media companies are blocked, and at least 500 journalists has left Russia. The reprisals from the Russian authorities are constantly increasing.
Last year, Politkovskaya’s editor-in-chief – Dmitry Muratov, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize together with Maria Ressa, “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace”.
On Friday 7 October, it was announced that the Nobel Peace Prize 2022 will be awarded to the Russian human rights organisation Memorial, together with the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties and Ales Bialiaski from Belarus.
Anna Politkovskaya day is arranged in a cooperation between Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights House Foundation, Amnesty International, Naturvernforbundet, Bellona, Natur og Ungdom, Nobels Fredssenter, SmåRådina and Oslo Dokumentarkino.
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