Lidia Yusupova, Rafto Laureate of 2005, gave strong characteristics to the way the Russian Federation have dealt with the Chechen Republic during the last decade. At the award ceremony on November 6th in Bergen, she challenged the democracies of Western Europe to take a different approach towards the Russian Federation regarding the countries politics in the Chechen Republic. (07-NOV-05)

   See also: Rafto Prize awarded to Lida Yusupova yesterday


– the Russian Federation runs state terror in the Chechen Republic.  Their actions are comparable to those of the Stalins regime during 1937 and 1938.  The state does not abide its own laws.  The fact that many Russians support these acts of terror preformed by the state, makes the situation even more terrible. What they don`t understand, is that a regime capable of these actions will not last long as a democracy, Yusupova said.

Mrs.Yusupova said that the organisation she represents, «Memorial» have figures to prove the accusations against the Putin regime. She also wanted the governments of Western Europe to change their attitude towards Russia;

– Western democracies have time and time again turned a blind eye to the atrocities commited by the Russian Federation. Through this, they have a responsibility in the  harrassement and violations against the people of the Chechen Republic, said Yusupova.

Mr. Arne Lynngaard, chairman of the Rafto Foundation, urged the Norwegian government to take a clear stand towards the Russian Federation and human rights. He also emphasized the link between the work of Professor Torolf Rafto and the work of this years´ laureate;

– Professor Rafto fought against human rights violations  in the former Soviet Union. This commitement is shared by Mrs. Lidia Yusupova, Mr. Lynngaard said.

Lidija Yusupova works as a solicitor. She gathers proof of human rights violations committed in the Chechen Republic through the NGO «Memorial»..  She has taken many cases of human rights violations to  the Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and won three times.

– Even though the Russian Federation has been convicted, and had to pay a form of compensation to the victims, they regard it as a low prize to pay. This does not stop the violations in the Chechen Republic, Yusupova said.

She admits that her task sometimes seems impossible, but at the same time, the situation in the Chechen Republic would become even worse if if she and «Memorial» stopped their work. «Memorial» is the last NGO for human rights existing in the Chechen Republic. Many human rights activist have been arrested, killed and reported missing during the years of the conflict.


(Sources; Bergens Tidende, NTB).

Link to photo and article by NTB: http://web3.aftenbladet.no/utenriks/article232379.ece