Urgent Action Update: Activist to Stand Trial for Her Drawings (Russian Federation: UA 138.20)

The trial against Yulia Tsvetkova, an artist and human rights activist from Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in the Russian Far East, is expected to start at the beginning of February. If convicted, she is facing up to six years in prison, under the absurd charges of “production and dissemination of pornography” for her drawings of women’s bodies as part of her activism promoting women’s rights.

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1. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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CONTACT INFORMATION

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SAMPLE LETTER Dear Prosecutor General, I am writing to you concerning artist and activist Yulia Tsvetkova from Komsomolsk-on-Amur. She is facing charges of “production and dissemination of pornography” (Article 242(3b) of the Russian Criminal Code) for her drawings of the female body. Her trial is expected to start soon, after 14 months of criminal investigation. Yulia Tsvetkova has been continually targeted since 2019 for her activism for women’s rights and the rights of LGBTI people. She has faced three administrative proceedings under the homophobic Article 6.21 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (“propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors”). Yulia Tsvetkova has also been repeatedly targeted by homophobic individuals, harassed and received threats over the phone, via social networks, and by mail, since the criminal case against her was opened. Her mother has also been receiving threats, including threatening calls, from unknown individuals. For over a year, Yulia Tsvetkova has been subjected to harassment by police, including repeated searches of her home and workplace. She spent almost four months under house arrest, during which she was deprived of access to the medical care she requires. Yulia Tsvetkova has committed no offense and is being relentlessly persecuted for exercising her right to freedom of expression through her drawings and as part of her human rights activism. By prosecuting Yulia Tsvetkova, the authorities are violating both Russia’s Constitution and their obligations under international human rights law. In light of the above, I urge you to end all criminal and administrative proceedings against Yulia Tsvetkova and to take all necessary steps to ensure the harassment of Yulia Tsvetkova and her mother stops. Yours sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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