Over the last couple of weeks, a digest of the independent Chechen journal ‘DOSH’ – ‘A word’ – has been launched in Brussels, Paris and Oslo. The journal has been published in the Russian Federation since March 2003. The Chechen journalists told European public figures, politicians, mass media representatives and human rights activists how hard it has become to be an independent journalist in the Russian Federation and what difficulties they face when democratic principles are not observed. (25-NOV-07)

Written by Inna Komar/Human Rights House Moscow, based on the Report “The results of “DOSH” presentations in Brussels, Paris and Oslo” (by Abdulkhazhi Duduev). edited by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz.

aIsrapil_NEW‘Dosh’ comes out once every three months. The editorial office is with ‘Civil initiative – right to live and have dignity,’ one of the member organizations of the Human Rights House in Moscow, who has also registered ‘Dosh’. With the current limitations to a free and democratic press in the Russian Federation, the journal had no chances to become an independent legal entity. At the helm of the publication are Israpil Shovkhalov, Editor-in-chief, right, and Abdulkhazhi Duduev, Executive Editor, far right. The journal enjoys the support of many well-known Russian journalists, and Anna Politkovskaya was also a friend and preceptor. “DOSH” has offices in Moscow  and Grozny (Chechnya).

The main problems raised in ‘DOSH’
‘DOSH’ tells its readers about significant events in Chechen people’s lives. The journal publishes exclusive stories from Chechnya’s tragic history, taken from the KGB archives, stories that only a few years ago were classified ‘top secret’. Many famous and authoritative politicians, public and international figures, including human rights activists, publish their articles in ‘DOSH’. Due to its truth value, ‘DOSH’ has tisen to become one of the most popular publications in Moscow, the Chechen Republic and Ingushetia, and is also distributed in other European countries, among politicians, public figires and members of the Chechen diaspora alike.

Presentations in Europe
Now, the time to release an English edition of ‘DOSH’ has finally come, generating particular interest among public figures, teachers, specialists and students investigating issues of democracy and development in former USSR republics. Many human rights activists, journalists, politicians, teachers and students took part in the English edition launch seremonies, and all expressed concern about freedom of speech, journalists’ safety and the future of free and democratic media in the Russian Federation. The Chechen journalists expressed their concerns, too, and added that they had never felt sure about there ever being a next edition of their journal. They told about difficulties they face every time they publish the journal, such as finding a new publisher ready to take the risk for each and every new edition.

Special thanks
The editorial staff of “DOSH” also took the opportunity to express its gratitude to all who have maintained their support to make the English digest possible. Special thanks went to the Embassy of Norway in Moscow and the Human Rights House Foundation in Norway.