Human rights defenders have been increasingly targeted by state authorities since the beginning of the second Chechen war, according to a new report from the International Helsinki Federation. (23-SEP-04)
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF), which represents 42 Helsinki Committees and other human rights organizations throughout Europe, Central Asia and North America, today released a study documenting the persecution of human rights defenders in the Chechen Republic and Ingushetia.
“After the horrific terrorists attack in North Ossetia, the IHF and our affiliates fear increasing pressure on the human rights community in the North Caucasus, and throughout the Russian Federation, especially in view of President Putin’s earlier threats.”
“This will be tragic, since civil society groups including human rights organizations offer peaceful, constructive, and non-partisan engagement to make government accountable and seek to solve problems through dialogue, not violence,” according to Aaron Rhodes, the IHF’s Executive Director.
The 32-page report documents that human rights defenders have been increasingly targeted by state authorities since the beginning of the second Chechen war, and that no effective measures have been taken by the Russian authorities to protect human rights defenders working in the conflict zone.
What is more, the report claims that other governments have not adequately addressed the Russian Federation about this matter.
(Paris and Vienna, 15 September 2004. )
For more information:
Aaron Rhodes, IHF Executive Director, +43-676-635 66 12
Brigitte Dufour, IHF Deputy Executive Director, +43-676-690 24 57
Aage Borchgrevink, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, +47-90-751150
