The EU urged Russia to “stop repression against civil society and independent media” in connection with the closure of “Project” and “Team 29”

The European Union called on the Russian authorities to “stop repressions against civil society and independent media.” About it it says in a statement by the EU foreign policy.

According to the statement, the inclusion of the Institute for Law and Public Policy (STI) and a number of journalists in the register of “foreign agents”, as well as the recognition of the “Project” as an undesirable organization, cause “particular concern”.

“In addition, the association of lawyers and journalists Team 29, which defends human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia, has decided to cease its activities after pressure and unfounded accusations from the Russian authorities,” the EU stressed.

According to representatives of the EU’s foreign policy service, this leads to “further suppression of dissent, opposition and independent institutions from the Russian public sphere,” and also “is of particular concern in the run-up to the September elections to the State Duma.”

The European Union also recalled that it “repeatedly condemned” the Russian laws on “foreign agents” and “undesirable organizations”, as they “contradict Russia’s international obligations and obligations in the field of human rights.”

On July 15 this year, Roman Badanin and four more journalists from the Project made in the register of the media of “foreign agents”, and the publisher of “Project”, the American organization Project Media Inc, recognized as “undesirable”.

Later, Roskomnadzor, at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office, blocked the website of the independent project Team 29. According to the department, the organization is connected with the NGO Společnost Svobody Informace, registered in the Czech Republic, which is included in the list of undesirable organizations. July 18 in connection with pressure from the Russian authorities “Team 29” announced on the termination of their activities.