28 May 2009, 23:55
Amnesty International: Northern Caucasus remains the most problematic Russian region by human rights violations
On May 28, the Amnesty International (AI) will present a report in several countries of the world, where Northern Caucasus which named the most problematic region in Russia in the area of human rights violations, as reported by Frederica Behr, one of AI researchers.
"The most problematic region in Russia from this viewpoint is Northern Caucasus. The situation there in different from region to region, for example, in Chechnya a lot depends on how you gather information. There, people are strongly intimidated; and those who earlier could tell something, address the court or the Office of Public Prosecutor are now afraid to make any statements about violations of their rights or disappearance of their relatives," said Ms Behr.
She has explained that for the recent year the organization has data that in Chechnya such a method is used like punishment of whole families if, allegedly, one family mamber had joined militants. "Their houses are burnt down; although it's not always clear who does it, but we don't see the authorities resolutely condemn it. There were cases when administration heads approved such actions," explained the human rights activist.
Presentation of the AI's report will take place in London; on May 27, a press conference on the topic was already held there.
Author: Dmitry Florin Source: CK correspondent
