Sergei Kovalev in Warsaw

We are looking forward to having you to join the meeting with Sergei Kovalev, a key figure in the human rights movement in the Soviet Union, a legendary dissident and political prisoner.

The meeting, entitled “Human Rights and Democracy vs. the Responsibilities of Academics”, will be held at the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Social Rehabilitation of the University of Warsaw, Professor Jan Baszkiewicz Hall, Department’s Auditorium Building, ul. Krakowskie Przedmieście 26/28, Warsaw, on 14 March between 5 and 7 pm.

In 1969, Sergei Kovalev set up the Action Group for the Defence of Human Rights in the USSR, the first independent human rights body in the Soviet Union. For many years he was a published author of the underground press. This led to his arrest in mid 1970s on charges of “anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda”, which resulted in Mr Kovalev’s receiving a sentence of 10 years detention in prisons and labour camps. After is release Sergei Kovalev continued his work for human rights. He was a co-founder of the Memorial Society, an organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of victims of political repression in the USSR.

“For the people involved in creating the human rights movement in Poland Sergei Kovalev has been an example to follow. He became our friend who has been offering us advice and sharing experiences. The meeting will be an excellent opportunity for another generation being inspired by his achievements”, says Danuta Przywara, President of the Helsinki Foundation.

During the event, Sergei Kovalev will be awarded an honorary doctorate of the University of Warsaw. The meeting is organised by the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Social Rehabilitation of the University of Warsaw and Czarne publishing house.

Admission is free.