– Svetlana has made outstanding contributions to the cause of promoting human rights in Russia, notably by serving as a member of the Board of the Human Rights Center Memorial, as well as the Civil Society Institutions and Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation. Further, Svetlana is the chairman of the Committee of Civic Assistance. Her tireless efforts in these positions have contributed greatly towards publicizing the human rights situation in Russia, and we are extremely proud of this most prestigious recognition of our close friend and partner.
In December 2010, Svetlana Alexeevna was notified that she had been elected a Knight of the Order, through a decree by the President of France. Earlier, in 2007, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee awarded her their Andrey Sakharov Prize for her diligent devotion to the ideals of freedom and human rights.
Svetlana received her award yesterday at 6:30pm at the French Embassy in Moscow. Jean de Gliniasty, the French Ambassador to Russia, presented the award. Friends and colleagues attended the ceremony.
Previously, the Legion of Honour was awarded to veteran Russian human rights activist and politician Sergei Adamovich Kovalev.