Lyudmila Alekseeva receives Natalia Estemirova Award

Today in Vladikavkaz, where the third interregional forum of rights defenders of Northern Caucasus is being held, Lyudmila Alekseeva, the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, was awarded the premium named after Natalia Estemirova – "Person of Honour and Conscience", the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The topics of the third "United Caucasian Forum" have to do with Russia's national politics. An important event of the forum was the awarding of premiums named in memory of Natalia Estemirova to human rights defenders for their significant contribution to the development of human rights movement in Northern Caucasus.

According to Kheda Saratova, the head of the Chechen information-analytical agency "Objective", the premium was instituted by the "United Caucasian Forum"; it was awarded for the first time, but then it will become regular and will be granted to human rights defenders, "especially to those who work in harsh conditions."

Nellya Radjabova, Chair of the Union of Public Associations "Otechestvo" (Homeland) has noted after awarding that Lyudmila Alekseeva is a support and a foundation of Russian human rights defenders.

The award was a surprise for Lyudmila Alekseeva; she could not hide her tears. "Thank you very much. This is surprising to me. We'll be able to maintain the honour and conscience, only if we support each other and strive helping each of you. I see here today normal people, who understand the severity and humiliation of their situation and want to change it," said the head of the Moscow Helsinki Group.

The Vladikavkaz forum has brought together human rights defenders, civil activists, and lawyers from Northern Caucasus. It was planned that 100 persons would come; however, now the event involves 40 people.