Human Rights Defenders

14 May 2022

Source: Facebook

Last night Andriusha Babushkin passed away. An old comrade, a real human rights defender, irrepressible, tireless, persistent and principled, touching and romantic…

He was one of the first civil society activists I met on my life’s path about 30 years ago, someone who changed my whole life. That’s because they are people of a very special kind: charismatic, beautiful inside and out, naturally drawing one towards them. That’s when I became fascinated by them and the work they do, fascinated by people like Andrei Babushkin. I wanted to become like them.

Unfortunately, there are not many human rights defenders like Andrei left with us. But where he has gone he will have great company – Liudmila Mikhailovna Alekseeva, Liza Glinka, Arseny Borisovich Roginsky… Today the heavenly human rights army has received a new warrior, while the earthly one has suffered an irreparable loss.

Blessed memory to you, Andrei!

Translated by Simon Cosgrove