Remembering Leonid Stonov
Remembering Dr. Leonid Stonov
It is with heavy heart that we bid farewell to a remarkable colleague, Dr. Leonid Stonov, who died after a long illness on Dec. 15, 2023.
Dr. Stonov's legacy is one of resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to justice. From his early days leading the refusenik movement to his role as the UCSJ International Director, he had left a major impact in the fight against discrimination and human rights abuses.
Dr. Stonov's dedication knew no bounds; he traversed the globe to provide assistance and lend his expertise. Whether standing with the refusenik or contributing to the International Religious Freedom workgroup, he exemplified the belief that justice knows no borders.
Let us remember Dr. Stonov not only for his impressive list of accomplishments but for the warmth, kindness, and intellectual depth that defined him. His impact reverberates in the lives he touched, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Born into a world where dissent was a perilous act, Dr. Stonov emerged as a leader in the refusenik movement, navigating the complexities of Soviet bureaucracy to pave the way for others seeking to escape from oppression. His legacy was marked by his founding and leadership of the Public Committee for Monitoring the Soviet Visa-Office (OVIR) performance, the first NGO in the former Soviet Union dedicated to aiding those seeking to emigrate.
Dr. Stonov's professional journey began at the Biological Department of Moscow State University in 1954, culminating in a Ph.D. in agriculture. Before his pursuit of emigration, he earned renown as a scientist in fertilizers, contributing significantly to his field with numerous publications, patents, and a leadership role at the Moscow Institute for Plant Protection.
However, it was Dr. Stonov’s dedication to human rights that defined the latter part of his life. Arriving in the United States on Dec. 7, 1990, he continued his mission, collaborating with NGOs to monitor human rights violations, combat antisemitism, and challenge various forms of xenophobia. Despite facing personal and professional setbacks, including the loss of his academic degree in 1981 as punishment for “anti-Soviet activities,” Dr. Stonov remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice.
His influence extended across borders as he participated in the U.S. Congressional hearings on human rights and antisemitism in the post-Soviet states. Between 1996 and 2005, Dr. Stonov played a crucial role in the UCSJ/MHG mutual human rights and xenophobia monitoring project in all 83 regions of Russia. His efforts were instrumental in organizing the Coalition Against Hate, which unites over 55 participants in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
Dr. Stonov's impact was not confined to official reports and hearings. He shared his insights through publications in American mass media, writing over 50 articles in Russian-language U.S. newspapers, shedding light on abuses of human rights, antisemitism, and ethnic and religious persecution.
Our condolences go to members of Dr. Stonov’s family.
The funeral will be private, for the expression of condolences, ucsj@ucsj.org c/o Stonov.
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