Judgment concerning the Russian Federation

Human Rights building
22/10/24

In the case of Kobaliya and Others v. Russia the Court held that there had been violations of the right to freedom of expression, freedom of association and respect for private and family life.

The case concerned the evolving legislative framework in Russia requiring many NGOs, media organisations and individuals to register as “foreign agents”, and its repercussions on their activities and private life.

The Court found that the currently applicable legislation was stigmatising, misleading and used in an overly broad and unpredictable way. Its purpose was to punish and intimidate rather than to address any alleged need for transparency or legitimate concerns over national security.

The legislative framework had become considerably more restrictive since 2012, and had moved even further from Convention standards.

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