Alexander Cherkasov finds new book of HRC "Memorial" interesting in context of Sochi Olympic Games

The Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" has published the book "Three Years of 'Stability'", which combines quarterly newsletters with analysis of the situation in the conflict zone in Northern Caucasus from the human rights defenders' point of view. The book is interesting in the context of the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi. Thus was emphasized by Alexander Cherkasov, Chairman of the Board of the HRC "Memorial".

The book was written by Oleg Orlov, a member of the Board of the HRC "Memorial", Alexander Cherkasov, Chairman of the Board, and Grigory Verny. The study was published due to state support and financing provided by the Embassy of Norway.

The book "Three Years of 'Stability'" is a continuation of the same study conducted within the period from summer 2006 to summer 2009. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Alexander Cherkasov. According to him, at present, there are two "authors" of the events in Northern Caucasus: the armed underground and the Russian federal authorities conducting policies to combat criminal groupings.

The human rights defender believes that in early 2009, the authorities could not understand whether it was possible to use "soft force methods" in the most troubled regions, such as Dagestan and Ingushetia, where commissions were formed to adapt militants to civilian life. Alexander Cherkasov has noted that in 2012, the study was "virtually stopped", and "activation of methods of brute force was observed."

Alexander Cherkasov concludes that in general, during the three years considered by the authors of the book the situation in the region has deteriorated.