The idea of a video documentary project about human rights defenders was conceived in the beginning of 2012, when the so-called “Law on Foreign Agents” was not yet adopted. However, a heated discussion in mass media was already going on; the “agential” rhetoric was spreading in the public sphere and became a part of human rights defenders’ vernacular.
We felt that people did not really understand what we were doing, and, starting from January 2012, we had to begin virtually every conversation by stating that we were not “foreign agents”. Of course, in a sense, every person, let alone a human rights defender, is an agent of some social process – we certainly accept such a role.
This project is, on the one hand, our own attempt to explain to the world who we are and why we are doing what we are doing. On the other hand, this is a moment of self-reflection – are we really some kind of agents, and if yes, then the agents of what? What are we “agenting”, and who are we “agenting” this for?
What do we expect from the audience? Questions. And feedback. Our stories will most likely arouse some kind of reaction – from empathy to aversion. Please, share those with us. Comment on the videos in social networks, contact us, and ask questions. We will try our best to communicate with each and every one.
NGO’s chairpersonValentina Cherevatenko
Runs projects on the development of local self-governanceVladimir Katasonov
Spokesperson, engaged in legal assistanceElena Nadtoka
Represents clients in court and does public relations.Alexandr Peredruk
Conducts human rights seminars and consults conscripts remotely.Oksana Paramonova
NGO’s chairperson.Ella Polyakova
Head of the Committee against Torture.Igor Kalyapin
Works with appellants to the European Court of Human Rights.Olga Sadovskaya
Head of the Investigation Department.Dmitry Utukin
Historian, editor-in-chief of Repentance, the martyrological collection of the victims of political repressions.Mikhail Rogachev
Head of the Civic Assistance Committee, defends the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced persons for over 20 years.Svetlana Gannushkina
Works with young people interested in human rights.Anna Dobrovolskaya
Inspects detention conditions in prisons.Nikolay Didyuk
Helps the victims of hate crimes and conducts educational seminars at schools.Anastasia Denisova
Consults refugees and migrants on legal and social issues, and helps in submitting requests and complaints.Marina Leksina
Represents applicants in court and participates in academic conferencesArseniy Levinson
Coordinator of street social workers and volunteersMaksim Malyshev
Head of the Foundation, writes academic articles on the issue of drug policyAnna Sarang
Coaches at the School of Human Rights, participates in international human rights initiativesAndrey Yurov
Engaged in human rights defense, peacebuilding and researchUnion «Women of the Don»
Walk the streets of Peterhof, listen to an online consultation, and visit a meeting at the organization’s office.Soldiers’ mothers of Saint-Petersburg
Check your local police inspector, visit a seminar in the Near Arctic, and attend a board meeting.Komi Memorial Human Rights Commission
Listen to the stories of Ukrainian refugees, visit the conference of “Migration and Law” network, and hang on the hot line.Civic Assistance Committee
Attend the counseling office, join a prisons monitoring conference, and help change a flat tire punctured by ill-wishers.Committee against Torture
Provide help together with “street lawyers,” visit a meeting of the Foundation’s activists, follow their discussion with opponents.Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice
Select hand-outs for the Human Rights School and walk by the eternal light in Voronezh.International Youth Human Rights Movement
Since 1993 engaged in human rights work, peacekeeping and research activities in the south of RussiaUnion «Women of the Don»
Since 1991, works with conscripts and soldiers, and mediates conflicts in the army.Soldiers’ mothers of Saint-Petersburg
Since 1996, helps the victims of police violence, inspects prisons, and assists people in courts.Komi Memorial Human Rights Commission
Since 1990, consults migrants, refugees and forcibly displaced persons, and implements charity programs.Civic Assistance Committee
Since 2000, defends the victims of police torture and asserts the right for life.Committee against Torture
Since 2009, provides legal aid to drug-dependent persons, promotes humanization of Russian drug policy.Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice
Since 1998, spreads information about human rights among the youth.International Youth Human Rights Movement