21:00, 11 August 2009

Human Rights Watch calls the murder of two human rights activists a monstrous crime

Zarema Sadulaeva, an activist of non-government organization "Let's Save the Generation". Photo by www.ingushetia.org

The international organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed its serious concern of the murder in Chechnya of two activists of the NGO "Let's Save the Generation".

"This is a monstrous crime," Tatiana Lokshina, deputy head of the Moscow HRW's Bureau, told the "Interfax" today. As she said, the victims were engaged in youth charitable projects.

Ms Lokshina has added that the HRW headquarters will not give up sending its employees to Chechnya, despite the restless situation in this region, as reported by the "NEWSru.com".

Leaders of some Chechen NGOs and human rights organizations made a joint statement in the context of the recent abduction and murder of human rights activists. In their opinion, "no doubts that this demonstrative abduction and murder of civil activists is aimed at undermining the positive processes underway in the Chechen Republic." "Criminals choose their victims aiming to cause loud negative resonance in the Russian and world community," says the statement.