Amnesty International: Northern Caucasus fails to meet basic laws

On May 23, in Moscow, representatives of the worldwide movement for human rights "Amnesty International" (AI) presented the report "Human Rights in Modern World", containing information about the situation with human rights in 2011 in 155 countries. The Russian version of the report provides information on 50 countries. The Russian part is largely devoted to the republics of Northern Caucasus, where the human rights defenders characterize the situation as unstable and uneven.

"Situation in Northern Caucasus is unstable and uneven"

The AI's report of calls the situation in Northern Caucasus unstable and uneven. According to the human right organization, civilian population suffers from attacks by armed groupings and security operations, which are often accompanied by gross violations of human rights. The AI's representatives in Russia received reports on intimidation of witnesses and journalists and on murders of human rights defenders and lawyers.

The report mentions the murder of journalist Khadjimurad Kamalov, the founder of Dagestani weekly newspaper "Chernovik" (Draft), prolonged investigations into the murders of Anna Politkovskaya, the observer of the newspaper "Novaya Gazeta", and of Natalia Estemirova, the staff member of the Human Rights Centre "Memorial", and criminal prosecution of the followers of Said Nursi, Turkish theologian.

In particular, the report describes the situation in Chechnya: kidnapping of Tamerlan Suleimanov, a resident of Grozny, detention of Supyan Baskhanov and Magomed Alamov, the staff members of the Interregional Committee Against Torture, investigation into the case on secret keeping in custody of Islam Umarpashaev, forced eviction of more than 100 families of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from their temporary shelters in Grozny, intensification of gender inequality caused by the revival of "Chechen traditions", advocated by the Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

The report mentions Dagestan in connection with attacks of armed groupings on power agents, representatives of local administration and well-known public figures, including mullahs, preaching traditional Islam.

The report emphasized that operations, conducted by law enforcement agencies, had led to increase in the number of complaints about enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and torture. The report mentions detention and torture of brothers Zaur and Kamilpasha Gasanov in the Stavropol Territory and the case of a 14-year-old teenager, beaten by staff members of the Shamil ROVD (District Interior). According to the human rights defenders, relatives of the victim claimed being persecuted and intimidated in the course of investigation and trial and complained about too lenient verdict.

According to the AI's report, kidnapping and murder of Ilez Gorchkhanov and dispersal of the protest action against enforced disappearances demonstrate the state of affairs in Ingushetia.

Kabardino-Balkaria was notoriously mentioned for attacks of armed groupings on resorts and for the subsequent special operations, after which law enforcement agents were accused of killings, kidnappings, and torture of suspects. According to the AI's report, kidnapping and beating of Murat Bedjiev of the town of Tyrnyauz were documented.

In 2011, North Ossetia suffered from operations, conducted to maintain security in the republic and neighbouring Ingushetia. In particular, according to the human rights defenders, residents of the village of Chermen report that soldiers beat teenagers Ruslan Timurziev and Imeir Djaurov.

Sergey Nikitin: corruption, parochialism, and simulation of democratic procedures accelerated protests in Russia

The year of 2011, especially its last days, has been marked by growing protests in the Russian Federation. This was stated by Sergey Nikitin, Chief of the AI in Russia, when he introduced the report.

"Citizens came out in the streets not only because of falsification during the elections, which was widely discussed by the media, but also because of corruption, parochialism, simulation of democratic procedures, which deprived people of the opportunity to carry out transformation. All that facts accelerated numerous protest actions. We witnessed the fact that the opposition is systematically deprived of the opportunity to be listened to and to have access to the mainstream media. Respect for human rights was one of the main demands of the protesters," stated Sergey Nikitin.

John Dalhuisen: Russia should reconsider its positioning on international scene

John Dalhuisen, Director of AI's Programme for Europe and Central Asia, stated; "As far as Russia is concerned, the country should review its positioning on the international scene." "Russia consistently refuses to protect human rights in other countries and does not mask its strategic interests by talking about human rights. Russia misses an opportunity to exert its influence on the situation in the world," said John Dalhuisen.

Friederike Behr: instability and daily violence lead to numerous human rights violations in Northern Caucasus

Friederike Behr, the AI's expert, presented more information about the situation in Russia. Answering the question of the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent about the situation in Northern Caucasus, she has emphasized that, in comparison with other regions of Russia, the situation in the region is very acute.

"Instability and daily violence leads to numerous violations of human rights. We see more often that the republics of Northern Caucasus fail to comply with the most basic laws. The tendency, how the situation in the region develops, will influence the situation in other regions of the Russian Federation," believes Friederike Behr.

The international experts are also seriously concerned over the draft law, restricting freedom of rallies, especially the part of the draft law, which relates to prohibition of participation in the organization of rallies for people, who have been already brought to responsibility for administrative violations in conducting rallies.