How much spare time do you have to show your support for human rights in Russia? One minute? 30 seconds? Just a few mouse clicks a day? If you follow some or all of the steps on this list, you have more than enough time to make a huge difference.
1. JOIN.
The Russian officials responsible for the imprisonment of Khodorkovsky and Lebedev are most comfortable when people ignore their crimes. But we can refuse to stay silent. If you don’t already have an account, join MORE THAN 5,586 SUPPORTERS on Facebook and click “Like” on the Khodorkovsky Center’s page to follow news, exchange views, and become part of the online community discussing human rights issues in Russia.
2. DEBATE.
Big things are happening these days on Twitter, launching and ending political careers, fueling demands for democracy in authoritarian countries, and serving as an essential platform for DEBATE. Help spread the news about these cases and other urgent issues of interest in Russia by following @MBK_Center along with 4,483 other supporters. Use the hashtag #FreeMBK on any Twitter update pertaining to discussions on Khodorkovsky, and we’ll help make your opinions heard.
3. ADVOCATE.
There are a number of different petitions, open letters, and online statements of support urging the immediate release of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev. ADD YOUR SIGNATURE TO MORE THAN 67,437 OTHERS in this open letter in Russia. The advocacy website Causes.com also has an open petition in support of the political prisoners, where more than 5,000 international supporters are urgently requesting action from the Russian government. This extraordinary demonstration of public interest makes a big difference, so please add your voice the growing chorus.
4. SPEAK UP.
Following the conclusion of the second trial against Khodorkovsky & Lebedev, an absurd scene in which Judge Viktor Danilkin, allegedly under pressure from the Kremlin, issued a guilty verdict and a near-maximum sentence on blatantly impossible charges (the theft of 350 million tons of oil that they were previously accused on not paying taxes on), global human rights watchdog Amnesty International declared the two men Prisoners of Conscience. SPEAK UP AND JOIN THE MILLIONS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEMBERS by sending your own letter to local and international leaders action. Download a suggested letter template right here, make any and all edits you see fit, and email it or put it in the post to any suggested recipient. Also look up the contact information for your country’s ambassador to Russia, and the Russian representatives in your capitals, along with other local political representation.
5. TAKE ACTION.
At the political and diplomatic level, there are many possible strategies being developed to help create disincentives targeting the worst of Russia’s human rights abusers by freezing their bank accounts and limiting their ability to travel. Some members of government are finally TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT RIGHTS IN RUSSIA, but they face stiff resistance from a multi-billion dollar lobbying effort from the Russian government. They need to know that you support their position, and that you are encouraging your own representatives to support the various efforts. One of the initial items of legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin in response to the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, which has since been expanded to include people accused of involvement in the Khodorkovsky and Lebedev cases. The Dutch Parliament recently gave their unanimous support a similar item of legislation, and other efforts are underway to consider visa sanctions for these individuals in the European Union. If you are a US citizen, you can look up your representatives here and here, and then write to them to tell them you would like them to show support for S. 1039, the Rule of Law in Russia Act. Download a sample text of a letter regarding S. 1039 right here. Many other tools are available online in Europe to locate representatives, and all other countries, from Australia to Zambia, are encouraged to similarly take action with their politicians at the local level.
6. SHARE AND RECRUIT.
In this uphill struggle for rights and rule of law in Russia, the more support we can generate, the better. Supporters can share this page, guide others to the Facebook and Twitter feeds, recruit more signatures to the Causes campaign, and help propagate any interesting news and perspectives on the situation with your friends and colleagues. Activities of support take many different forms, from online petitions to protests to film screenings to concerts, so we always welcome your input. If you have an idea to help raise awareness in your community, just let us know! We are looking forward to working together with all of you.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE SUPPORT EFFORT!!!
