FIDH: absence of "Memorial" means a failure in defence of human rights in Chechnya

The International Federation of Human Rights (French abbreviation - FIDH) expresses its concern about the departure of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" from the Chechen Republic. The leaders of the Federation believe that the absence of "Memorial" in the republic will create a failure in defence of human rights.

They note that one of the very few information links between the Chechen population and the international community has vanished.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the Bureau for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the FIDH that suspension of the "Memorial" gives rise to the idea that Russian authorities are unable to guarantee safety of human rights defenders. The Association notes that this is an obvious violation of Article 12.2 of the United Nations' "Declaration on the right of individuals, public groups and organizations to ensure and defend universal human rights and basic freedoms, and their responsibility for that."

The FIDH expresses its deep concern of the climate of fear that hangs over human rights activists in Russia and emphasizes that the decision of "Memorial" to suspend its work in Chechnya evidence the degree of aggravation of the situation in this republic. The "Memorial" worked in Chechnya since 1995, despite two brutal wars, the FIDH has noted.

In summary, the Federation has addressed Russian authorities with a demand to fulfil their international and regional obligations and guarantee safety to human rights activists.