Capital of Chechnya joins the anti-racist coalition

The administration of Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, has accepted the offer of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism to join the organization. The decision was passed by Muslim Khuchiev, Mayor of Grozny.

"The aim of the coalition is to unite efforts of cities and municipalities in realization of jointly designed actions on counteracting racism, discrimination and intolerance at the local level, including exchange of experiences in this sort of actions," Adam Malikov, deputy head of administration of Grozny, said in this context.

The UNESCO has adopted and is now implementing its complex strategy embodied into the programme for counteracting racism, discrimination and xenophobia. A major element of the strategy was the foundation in June 2008 of the International Coalition of Cities against Racism, which united the earlier created and active regional coalitions: in Europe, Asian-Pacific region, in the countries of the Caribbean basin and Arab world.

Today, the European Coalition of Cities against Racism comprises over 80 cities from 17 countries. From Russia, only St-Petersburg it its member so far, however, its representative was elected into the steering committee of the coalition and takes active part in decision-making.