foreignness, Russianness and legitimacy in the practice and discourse of human rights defence in Russia since 2012

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My proposed research project will consider themes of foreignness, Russianness and legitimacy in the practice and discourse of human rights defence in Russia since 2012, asking how these relate to the methods employed by human rights defenders in securing international legal norms in the context of Putin's current regime, and how this reshapes our understanding of Russia's relationship with human rights and international law. The exigency of these questions is underlined by developments during Putin's third term as president (2012-). Whether through rhetoric about 'traditional Russian values' or making allusions to threats to national sovereignty, legislation passed since 2012 has promoted a view of human rights law as an encroachment on Russian life and its society's autonomy. Amid deteriorating relations between Russia and the Council of Europe over the annexation of Crimea, a critical evaluation of international human rights law and practice and Russian legal thought is urgent.