The program is called Respite for a reason – for me, it was truly like a breath of fresh air, a chance to relieve myself and forget the stifling situation in Russia.
It was very important for me to meet my French confrères, to inform them about the situation with lawyers' rights in Russia, and to hear their words of support. I also had the opportunity to connect with French human rights defenders and see my Russian colleagues who had to emigrate to France. I am also grateful for the course on IT security. Even though I take them regularly, I learned quite a few new tricks.
Unfortunately, with the current crackdown in Russia, human rights lawyers have a lot of work to do, and I can't leave my clients without support for long. Thus, 15 days is the maximum I can be absent from the country. Nonetheless, it was a wonderful two weeks in my beloved Paris, and I extend many thanks to the Paris Bar for this much-needed respite”.
