Chairwoman: Veronika Marchenko
"Mother's Right" Foundation seeks to protect and advocate the rights of parents whose sons were killed during peacetime military service in Russia and the CIS. It was founded in 1990 by a group of relatives of those who have died in the military during peacetime. The similarity of many cases (cause of death given, problems in ascertaining information surrounding the deaths, difficulty in acquiring entitlements due the surviving family) suggested that a collective effort in exposing these circumstances might improve the conditions of service and provide moral and practical support for surviving families.
The work of "Mother's Right" focuses on both practical assistance to families and research into military-related deaths. The group renders free legal services to the parents and families of deceased servicemen. In many cases, the organization helps to provide material assistance to families who have been denied such benefits. Concerns regarding the legal rights of families following military deaths are regularly addressed to state bodies. Members have also consulted on the creation of legislation effecting military service. To support their case, "Mother's Right" has conducted extensive sociological research on the causes of deaths in the military and the treatment of families following the deaths. The majority of the research comes from the organization's contact with families and all information is made available to the public.
Since 1993, the group has published three editions of the Memory Book, containing the names and personal stories of those killed during peacetime military service. This is an ongoing series of publications aimed at paying respect to the families of the deceased and educating the public on the circumstances surrounding many peacetime military deaths.
Special Projects:
Annual Report on Human Rights Violations in the Russian Army
The organization produces a yearly report of its work, including a sociological breakdown of causes given for deaths in the army, violations of parents' rights during and after investigations into the deaths, a statistical profile of those killed, an analysis of legislation effecting servicemen and their families, and proposals for action. In the past, this report has been made available to the public and presented to relevant state and presidential commissions.
Publications:
The NIS Third Sector Organization section is based on information found in the print edition of "The Post-Soviet Handbook." For more information on the Handbook and instructions on how to order, see our
Post Soviet Handbook Information page.
Sponsored by:
Center for Civil Society International
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