In late 2006, EHRAC received a request for assistance in litigating European Court cases from the Russian NGO, the Planet of Hopes. The Planet of Hopes is based in Ozersk, which is one of a number of ‘closed cities’ in Russia. Environmental pollution is a major issue in the area following a nuclear accident in 1957 and the dumping of radioactive waste in the nearby River Techa.
The Planet of Hopes defends the rights of those who have been affected by pollution, for example, of people living in settlements along the River Techa and also of those living in closed cities - restrictions are imposed on entry to and residence in closed cities.
In April 2007, EHRAC Director, Philip Leach, met with Nadezhda Kutepova, the head of the Planet of Hopes, in the EHRAC London office. Their meeting discussed several potential European Court applications in relation to environmental issues and permission to reside in a closed city. EHRAC is currently assisting the Planet of Hopes to refer to European Court jurisprudence in relation to these cases at the Russian domestic level, and will assist with these cases at the European level should this prove necessary.
Nadezhda Kutepova (Planet of Hopes), Philip Leach (EHRAC Director), Olga Shchukovskaya (EHRAC Legal Intern) and Tina Devadasan (EHRAC Project Manager)
