Will Russia compensate eco-activists after a court ruling? “It’s a pity it won’t”, the activists react.

21 Shiyes activists, who were detained and prosecuted after on April 7, 2019, they participated in the so called “Shiyes” protest against government plans for a massive landfill in Arkhangelsk region, have been awarded compensations by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). 

Among them is 23 year old Darya Poryadina, who was awarded the compensation of 3,500 Euro, a report on the ECHR website states. According to the ECHR, the compensation must be paid by the Russian authorities. Darya is a journalist currently based in Vilnius, Lithuania, where she relocated after Russia invaded Ukraine. Back on April 7, 2019, Darya was a student in Arkhangelsk and an eco-activist who was arrested by police after the Shiyes protest and ordered to pay a fine of 28 000 rubles (283 Euro).

“During the trial, my lawyers quoted the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which allows peaceful gatherings and meetings. And Shiyes protest was a peaceful protest”, - Darya told The Barents Observer on the phone from Vilnius, - “During the trial, we also quoted the European Convention on Human Rights, which allows freedom of expression.”

 

But the Arkhangelsk court didn’t take any of those arguments into consideration and fined Darya and many other activists anyway. While Darya managed to pay the fine with the help of multiple donations from supporters all over the country, it was important for her to prove she did nothing wrong.  

That’s why in 2019 with help of her lawyers she made a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and now, on December 7, 2023, the decision has been made. 

“ECHR ruled that I was wrongly fined twice for the same “violation” (separately for marching and standing at the protest, meanwhile it all was part of one event), - Darya told The Barents Observer, - “Also ECHR confirmed the lack of impartiality of the Arkhangelsk trial and the fact that I have the right to express my opinion”. 

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russia withdrew from the Council of Europe in March 2022. It means that Russian authorities are not obliged to follow the decisions of the ECHR anymore. Darya says that she is still satisfied with the ruling: 

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“I’m glad that the respectful European institution acknowledged the violation of my rights by the Russian authorities, - Darya told The Barents Observer. - It means a lot to me because justice is of the highest value to me. It’s a pity Russia won’t comply with this decision though. But I hope, I will live till the day when Russia complies with the human rights rules and justice will prevail”.