Our film crew worked yesterday, September 30th, in Toronto at the Bernard Betel Centre during a meeting with Dmitry Muratov, the editor-in-chief of “Novaya Gazeta,” who has been labeled a “foreign agent” in Russia. He came to Toronto at the invitation of Human Rights Watch to give a talk on political prisoners in Russia and emphasize the need for civilian-for-civilian exchanges.
Muratov spoke about the difficult human rights situation in Russia, where many activists, opposition figures, and journalists are being arrested and persecuted for political reasons. He focused particularly on the issue of political prisoners in Russia and the importance of international pressure for their release.
His speech left a strong impression due to his incredible sincerity, openness, and dedication to the necessity of holding oneself accountable and doing everything possible. Muratov emphasized that at “Novaya Gazeta,” there is no place for depression, even though at times there may be a sense of hopelessness. This principle helps the team maintain resilience and continue their work.
