"Arguments and Facts" are inciting to hatred against Caucasian people

Director of the Moscow Bureau on Human Rights Alexander Brod and Director of the Center of International Cooperation Ashot Airapetian prepared a writ on honor, dignity and business reputation protection to the Publishing House "Arguments and Facts", to the newspaper of the same name, and personally to the journalist Ekaterina Bichkova.

The whit records that Bichkova's article "Why Do We Dislike "People of Caucasian Nationality"? (the continuation of the talk. The beginning is in "A&F-Moscow" #45-2002, #4-2003)" was published in the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" (the circulation is about 3 million copies) #31 (525) of July 30, 2003.

In particular, the declarants note this material contains false assertions about representatives of the Caucasian people (the Georgians, the Armenians, the Azerbaijanians). These assertions not only humiliate honor and dignity of these people but cause their moral suffering.

Moreover, Bichkova suggests limiting the Caucasians' right for residing in Moscow in defiance of all international and Russian standards on freedom of movement and choosing a place of residence.

The declarants also underline that the Northern Caucasus is a part of Russia. So such an expression as "mountain natives simply bothered Muscovites" is a kindling of hatred of one group of country's citizens against the other, which conflicts with the standards of Russia's Constitution.

Director of the Center of International Cooperation Ashot Airapetian also addressed a letter to the Grand Jury of the Russian Journalist Union with a request to view Bichkova's article.