Education or Indoctrination? The Impact of Memory Laws on History Education in Russia: International Human Rights Law Perspective

Abstract Corruption of children’s minds by political regimes with ideology and war propaganda was widely condemned after the Second World War, the experience of which catalysed the creation of safeguards against such malpractices within relevant human rights treaties. However, currently, this practice is being reinvented in the Russian Federation, which uses a mnemonic narrative about the “Great Patriotic War deeds” promoted among children and youth in the course of history education. The article investigates the interconnection between freedom of thought and education, alongside the child’s right to autonomy and evolving capacities and the role of memory laws in establishing and instilling certain mnemonic narratives. The argument made is that the right to freedom of thought is closely interconnected with the right to education, and misuse of history, amplified by relevant punitive legislation, would be contrary to both provisions. That could potentially raise claims under the ICCPR, ICESR and CRC.