ABSTRACT

This chapter provides an overview of the relationship between the state and civil society in Russia before exploring the general context in which Russian NGOs engaged in defending a range of interests operate. It examines wider issues relating to the problematic political situation in which many Russian NGOs which identify themselves explicitly as 'rights-defending' organisations must try to continue their activity and how this contrasts with the more favourable position in which socially oriented NGOs (SONGOs) tend to find themselves. The chapter also examines the extent to which these SONGOs have adopted the discourse of human rights in order to advocate for the interests of the clients they work with. Based on extensive interviews with NGO representatives in a number of different towns and cities in Russia, it explores the degree to which they apply the concept of 'rights' to their work. The chapter also explains how they define and adapt their strategies in contrast to conventional human rights groups.