US Department of State is concerned that Natalia Estemirova's murder is not solved yet

The White House honoured has marked the life and work of Natalia Estemirova, an employee of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial", who was abducted and murdered one year ago, in the sphere of defence of human rights in Northern Caucasus, and reminded that the crime remains unsolved.

"Ms Estemirova devoted her career to bringing awareness and pressing for accountability for human rights abuses, particularly in Chechnya, demanding to punish those guilty of these violations. The international community justifiably gave Ms Estemirova a number of awards for her important work," runs the statement published in the website of the US Department of State.

It is also noted that those responsible for this horrible crime have yet to be brought to justice. "We will continue to shine the spotlight on this case as part of our efforts to protect the brave journalists and civil society activists across the globe who, like Natalia, speak out against abuses and work to secure fundamental freedoms for their fellow citizens," the statement runs, which was signed today by Philip J. Crowley, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs of the US Department of State.