Ro & SuZ Award 2022

Awarded to Alexander Verkhovsky, SOVA Center

Why the choice of Alexander and SOVA?

The SOVA Center for Information and Analysis was founded twenty years ago, in Moscow, Russia, in October 2002. The SOVA Center conducts sociological research on topics such as xenophobia, nationalism, and racism in post-Soviet Russia. Currently, SOVA devotes its monitoring, research, and advocacy to three projects: the application of anti-extremism legislation; racism and xenophobia; and religion in secular society.

SOVA is reporting on the activities of neo-Nazi or radical groups in Russia, incidents of xenophobic vandalism and other relevant issues. SOVA also keeps track of convictions and acquittals under charges relating to racism and xenophobia, with emphasis on cases that establish hatred as a motive.

In workshops, including under the auspices of the OSCE, SOVA Center advocates for the prevention of hate speech on the Russian Internet and for the facilitation of alternate constructive dialogue.
[ Read full Jury Report ] [ Read the Speech by Jonathan Vick ]

Our heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Verkhovsky and SOVA Center!

Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky's Biography:

Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky, born in 1962 in Moscow, graduated from Moscow Oil and Gas Institute with a degree in applied mathematics in 1984. In 1991-2002, Mr. Verkhovsky was vice-president of Panorama Information and Research Center. Since 2002 Mr. Verkhovsky is director of SOVA Center for Information and Analysis.
The SOVA Center carries out research on hate crimes, legal counteraction to extremism and religion in secular society. Mr. Verkhovsky authored several books on these issues, including: “Criminal Law on Hate Crime, Incitement to Hatred and Hate Speech in OSCE Participating States”, and a broad range of media articles and academic publications, including "The Empire Strikes Back: Antisemitism in Russia" (2011, with Stella Rock.) He is a Member of the Presidential Council on Human Rights and Civil Society, since 2012.

Links:

• SOVA Center’s website
• Interview with Alexander Verkhovsky, by Mary Page, April 11, 2021
• Interview with Alexander Verkhovsky, by Mary Page on YouTube

Speech

by Jonathan Vick at the International INACH Conference, November 4, 2022

‘

It is my honor and pleasure to be able to present the the Ro & Suz Award.

The Ro & SuZ Award derives it’s name from Ronald Eissens (1963-2021) and Suzette Bronkhorst (1958-2021), it’s awarded every year to an organization and/or individuals that develop innovative ways to combat cyber hate or works towards “Bringing the Online In line with Human Rights”.

Many of us knew Suzette and Ronald, but as we move into the future and grow our network, it is important to retell their role in the establishment of our organization. INACH was founded by members of LICRA, Jugendshutz, and the Magenta Foundation. Many of those organizations, and 20 more are now part of this unique and respected alliance. As INACH is a distributed collective, so has been the heart, mind, and soul of the organization. Everyone leaning into their strengths and bringing that to the table.

Suzette was a force of nature. To stand in her way was to stand in the way of the wind or the tide. She was driven by compassion. Compassion for people she may never meet. Ronald was a quiet waters run deep person. A great reader and thinker, Always a considered view. Always having words with true honesty and gravity.

Ultimately, everything we feared online hate would instigate has manifested itself. Many of the solutions advocated and championed by Ronald & Suzette became reality. Thanks to Ronald & Suzette “we told you so” echoes in everything the internet industry sees in INACH.

As envisioned by Ronld & Suzette, this award is meant to exemplify the INACH slogan of “Bringing the Online In Line with Human Rights” and recognizing "innovative ways to combat cyber hate". As the technology, society, and the industry has evolved, we have seen how this can take many forms; technological, political, social, in policy advocacy and activism. All of our colleagues excel in one of these areas. It is what our work requires. Our honoree from last year Jean-Hubert and his DRC organization Africa Without Hate was recognized for pioneering work in the emerging cyber landscape of Africa.

This year we recognize a long time colleague who does important work despite an extremely difficult environment.

The SOVA Center for Information and Analysis was established in 2002. The SOVA Center monitors and collects information daily, and the results are published on their site every day in Russian. Some news items are published in English. Research, and other materials are also published directly on this website in Russian and English. Highlights of their work include Misuse of anti-extremism, Religion in Secular society, and Nationalism and xenophobia. This work has always been exceptional, and now even more so.

Many organizations face adversity and opposition. Many have government sponsorship, most have protection under the law, but few have persisted under the combination of challenges faced by SOVA. They are like an anti-hate high-wire act who does their job and answers their calling without a safety net.

We have long respected and admired their efforts.
Please join me in recognizing…:
SOVA Center for Information and Analysis,
Alexander Verkhovsky

’

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20 years

of combating cyber hate

The SOVA Center for Information and Analysis was founded twenty years ago, in October 2002. INACH was, coincidentally, also founded in October 2002, by Jugendschutz.net and Magenta Foundation. INACH and SOVA share their twentieth anniversary this year. Anniversaries are normally happy moments. But with the work still to be done, this day urges us to look at lessons from the past, to meet the challenges of the future.

This year's theme of the INACH conference is '20 years of combating cyber hate: Lessons learned and future challenges'.

Report

of the 2022 Ro & SuZ Magenta Award Jury

Context

The Award derives its name from Ronald Eissens (1963-2021) and Suzette Bronkhorst (1958-2021). It is awarded every year to an organization or individual that develops innovative ways to combat cyber hate, or works towards “Bringing the Online In line with Human Rights.” It is awarded annually by Magenta Foundation.

The very first Ro & Suz Award was granted to Congolese Jean-Hubert Bondo and his organization Africa Sans Haine based in Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo in 2021. The 2022 Ro & Suz Award will be attributed to another organization in November 2022. The ceremony of handing out the Award will take place at the INACH Annual Conference on 3-4 November in Amsterdam.

Composition of the jury

For the year 2022, the Ro & SuZ Magenta Award 2022 jury is composed of:

• Jean-Hubert Bondo, (Africa Sans Haine), laureate 2021 Ro & SuZ Award
• Selma Muhič Dizdarevič, (board member INACH)
• Brieuc-Yves (Mellouki) Cadat-Lampe (chair Magenta Foundation, chair jury Ro & SuZ Magenta Award)
• Jolie van der Klis, (secretary Magenta Foundation)
• Rob van Veelen, (board member Magenta Foundation)

Jury decision

The jury went to great lengths to review the work of different people and various organizations working in the field of combating hate speech around the world. It is clear that this sector is expanding, and many organizations are very committed. But it was necessary to choose.
After debates and deliberations, the jury unanimously nominated Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky and his organization SOVA as the winner of the Ro & SuZ Magenta Award for the year 2022 and offers him its sincere congratulations.
Alexander Verkhovsky is the Director of the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis, a non-profit organization based in Moscow, Russian Federation. He is a valued member of INACH since the days of its inception.

Why the choice of Alexander and SOVA?

The SOVA Center for Information and Analysis was founded twenty years ago, in Moscow, Russia, in October 2002. The SOVA Center conducts sociological research on topics such as xenophobia, nationalism, and racism in post-Soviet Russia. Currently, SOVA devotes its monitoring, research, and advocacy to three projects: the application of anti-extremism legislation; racism and xenophobia; and religion in secular society.

SOVA is —for example— reporting on the activities of neo-Nazi or radical groups in Russia, incidents of xenophobic vandalism and other relevant issues. SOVA also keeps track of convictions and acquittals under charges relating to racism and xenophobia, with emphasis on cases that establish hatred as a motive.

In workshops, including under the auspices of the OSCE, SOVA Center advocates for the prevention of hate speech on the Russian Internet and for the facilitation of alternate constructive dialogue.

Thus, the jury has unanimously agreed to reward the great work of the SOVA Center and Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky against online hate and for Bringing the Online In Line with Human Rights. Unanimously, the jury has decided that the winner of the previous year will hand the Award to the winner of the current year. Therefore, Mr. Jean-Hubert Bondo will officially hand the Award Certificate to the winner of 2022, Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky and SOVA Center. Once again, our warmest congratulations to Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky and the SOVA Center.

Affirmed in Amsterdam, September 30, 2022

On behalf of the jury: Brieuc-Yves (Mellouki) Cadat-Lampe, Selma Muhič Dizdarevič, Jean-Hubert Bondo

Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky's Biography:

Mr. Alexander Verkhovsky, born in 1962 in Moscow, graduated from Moscow Oil and Gas Institute with a degree in applied mathematics in 1984. In 1991-2002, Mr. Verkhovsky was vice-president of Panorama Information and Research Center. Since 2002 Mr. Verkhovsky is director of SOVA Center for Information and Analysis.
The SOVA Center carries out research on hate crimes, legal counteraction to extremism and religion in secular society. He authored or co-authored several books on these issues, including: “Criminal Law on Hate Crime, Incitement to Hatred and Hate Speech in OSCE Participating States”, and a broad range of media articles and academic publications, including "The Empire Strikes Back: Antisemitism in Russia" (2011, with Stella Rock.) He is a Member of the Presidential Council on Human Rights and Civil Society, since 2012.

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