Magomedov: no results of working group on human rights and freedoms in Dagestan yet

The working group on problems of human rights and freedoms in Dagestan can turn into "a circle on interest" with no practical value, and its decisions will remain formal. This is the opinion of Dagestanian journalist Magomed Magomedov, who gave detailed coverage of the meeting of the head of Dagestan Mukhu Aliev with Russian human rights activists and members of the Commission of Russian Public Chamber on Interethnic Relations and Freedom of Religion that took place on March 10.

Pavel Sorokin, adviser of the press service of the Russian Public Chamber, has announced that the range of powers of the new working group on the problems of human rights and freedoms in the Republic of Dagestan and the character of its work will be defined at its first sitting. However, the date of this first sitting is unknown yet.

"The idea of the Russian Public Chamber to set up a working group on the problems of observance of human rights and freedoms in the Republic of Dagestan brings joy and concern at the same time. It's positive, because the commission headed by Svanidze (member of the Russian Public Chamber, - note of the editor) that came to our Republic on March 10 saw that we have problems in this sphere.

It's also nice, because Dagestanian problems will be discussed at a new level, and the federal centre, I hope, will look differently at the processes here. But what makes me uneasy is that the group can turn into zero-value circle on interests, and its decisions will bring no fruit," Magomed Magomedov said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his version, until now there is no information about the first organizational meeting of the new working group, and about what its members are particularly going to do.

"Will the work plan of the Moscow part of the working group include visiting the IVSs (temporary detention facilities) and SIZOs (pre-trial prisons) of the Republic of Dagestan? Will the group open its hotline for emergency contacts? Desirably, to have contacts with the Moscow part of the group. Thus, we have plenty of questions to the group. Its staff looks highly respectful, however, we'd like to see practical results," Mr Magomedov has concluded.