In Chechnya, human rights activists wait to meet CE Commissioner

Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner of the Council of Europe (CE) for Human Rights, arrives in Grozny. Leaders of human rights organizations of the republic hope to discuss at their meeting with Mr Hammarberg a lot of serious issues, including the problem of safety of the NGO employees who work in the region.

The CE Commissioner will meet the republic's leaders and bosses of power agencies, and also - a meeting with members of human rights and public organizations of Chechnya.

"Most likely, Thomas Hammarberg's meeting with NGO activists will take place at the Ombudsman's office. At the same time, we hope that he will visit our office," the employees of the HRC "Memorial" in Grozny hope. "Naturally, during the meeting we'll raise the problems connected with continuing violations of citizens' rights. Especially those related to the recent murders of our employee Natalia Estemirova, head of the public organization 'Let's Save the Generation' Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband Alik Dzhabrailov."

In the opinion of public leaders, the investigation into kidnappings and subsequent murders of Estemirova, Sadulayeva and Dzhabrailov is not done properly. "Six weeks have expired after Natasha Estemirova's murder; however, until now the investigation has failed to name the executors or organizers of this crime. The same refers the murders of Zarema and Alik," the head of one of local NGOs said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to his version, there is some information in the republic that the kidnappings and subsequent murders of Estemirova, Sadulayeva and Dzhabrailov could be accomplished by one and the same group of persons. "They say that the 'Zhiguli' car, used on July 15 by Natasha's kidnappers, was found. The car is still used by employees of one of local power agencies," said the source.