Human rights group was created in 1990. It was the first human rights organisation in Povolzhye. In 1993 the group established voluntary organisation - Nizhny Novgorod Society for Human Rights (NNSHR) uniting members of different human rights organisations - International Human Rights Society, International Amnesty, Memorial, Association of political repression victims. In 1996 the statutes was reregistered in Justice Department of Nizhny Novgorod oblast and registration certificate #401 was received on 18 April, 1996. Chairman of Nizhny Novgorod Society for Human Rights: Sergey Shimovolos. Tel: (8 312) 30-07-14, 34-04-88.

MAIN ACTIVITIES OF NIZHNY NOVGOROD SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Protection of prisoners’ rights, penal and judicial reforms

The Society members go with visits to prisons, consult citizens on legal issues, work with letters from prisoners and their relatives, provide penitentiaries of Nizhny Novgorod oblast with charitable help. In 1993, initiated by Society members, regional observation commission was created. In 1995 Trustees Board for reformatories was established, in 1998 - League of prisoners’ mothers. Since 1997 the Society has been working on the programs of patronizing reformatories and legal protection of prisoners. As a result the brochure about patronage of prisons was issued. Since October 1, 1996 the Legal Center has been successfully working in NNSHR. Since 1992 Nizhny Novgorod Society for Human Rights has been collaborating with the Center of penal reform participating in working out and implementation the Center’s programs. NNSHR materials have been used by the Center during preparing reports and researches.

Education

Since 1993 NNSHR has been publishing the newsletter "Human Rights" (originally called "Nizhny Novgorod infosheet"). The newsletter is distributed among human rights organisations, interested individuals of Nizhny Novgorod region and over 70 addressees all over Russia and abroad. Normative acts on human rights and acute journalistic materials on different topics are highlighted in the newsletter. Every year the Society members arrange different seminars, round table discussions on various human rights topics. Since 1994 the Society has been working on the program "Small library" providing the libraries of penitentiaries with different literature. For the present the libraries have received over 7 000 books. NNSHR provides the information for radio programs, Russia Radio program included.

Since 1994 NNSHR has been arranging seminars on legal reform and protection of human rights. On 28 May, 1997 the seminar on international public right in court was held, on 9 December, 1998 - regional scientific conference "Human rights in Nizhny Novgorod oblast: achievements and problems".

Legal Center

Since 1994 NNSHR has been providing people with different consultations on violation of human rights. Every month NNSHR receives over 100 letters. Also, hot line consultations are provided. Citizens are assisted in making petitions to court and governments. The Society members participate in court hearings protecting citizens’ interests. The most successful are cases concerned propiska initiated by NNSHR. Since 1995 NNSHR experts have been preparing applications and petitions on human rights violations using international defense, through UN Commission on human rights and European court on human rights.

NNSHR members actively participate in investigations of cases on torture applying, provide help for refugees and victims of political repressions. For 5 years over 2000 people have been provided with assistance.

Lawmaking and analytical work

The Society activists participate as experts in preparing and evaluating regional as well as federal bills. In 1996 database containing human rights norms was created for human rights organisations in Russia, in 1998 the database was updated. In 1997 NNSHR prepared the report on torture applying in Nizhny Novgorod region which was highly appreciated by experts of russian and international human rights organisations. With the support of Moscow Helsinki group NNSHR is preparing an annual report on human rights in Nizhny Novgorod region for 1998.

Protection of conscripts rights and providing them with alternative military service

Since 1990 NNSHR members have been involved in protecting conscripts who prefer alternative military service and promoting nonviolence policy. In 1995 Nizhny Novgorod pacifists’ group was created. In 1998 the group was registered as separate NGO. On the initiative of pacifists’ group NNSHR members together with Solders’ mothers Committee often participate in protection of conscripts and servicemen rights in courts.

Human rights initiatives

During the military conflict in Chechnya the Society for Human Rights sent their observers to military operations zones twice. The information and materials collected were spread in mass media of Nizhny Novgorod region.

Since 1990 NNSHR members are constantly involved in observing the election processes in Nizhny Novgorod region, as well as federal elections appearing as observers from International Human Rights Society. NNSHR members provide assistance for refugees and victims of political repressions. Also, they are in close touch with A. Sakharov museum.

Since 1996 Nizhny Novgorod Society for Human Rights has been fostering development of human rights groups and legal centers in the region, supporting human rights initiatives. NNSHR has its branches in such regional cities as Dzerzhinsk, Zavolzhye, Krasnyie Baki.

In 1997, on the initiative of NNSHR, Commission on human rights affiliated to Nizhny Novgorod oblast administration was created. The Commission includes 4 representatives of the Society.

Since 1998 NNSHR has been consulting women on their rights.

In April 1998 when the results of Nizhny Novgorod mayor elections were abolished NNSHR arranged public campaign on protection voters’ rights. By the means of round-the-clock picketing the building of regional court NNSHR managed to draw attention of citizens, local governments and law-enforcement workers to the problem of voters’ rights violation and obtained consideration of voters’ complaints in courts.