The Kennan Institute has benefited from years of collaboration with the International Memorial Society and the Memorial Human Rights Center. We have hosted individual scholars as well conducted joint seminars on such issues as the Gulag, historical memory in Russia, contemporary political prisoners, and the current state of human rights in the Russian Federation. 

All of these activities were done in the spirit of collegiality, the free exchange of ideas, and a steadfast interest to uncover the facts wherever they might lead. Now, we face the abrupt end of this dialogue at a time when other avenues of academic exchange with Russia are increasingly being closed off. 

We urge that the spurious charges against Memorial be dropped and this esteemed and internationally-recognized organization be allowed to continue its valuable work.