Society of Russian-Chechen Friendship give lectures in Dublin, Galway

national | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Wednesday April 07, 2004 15:48 by Dmitri Vitaliev - Front Line dmitri at frontlinedefenders dot org 1212 3750

Action to prevent further human rights defenders being killed in Chechnya

Lecture Dates:
- April 14th, lecture at Trinity College Swift Theatre (Arts Block) 7pm
- April 16th, Irish Centre for Human Rights, University College Galway 2:00 – 3:30pm

Three members of the Society of Russian Chechen Friendship (SRCF) have been killed in the last two and a half years, a fourth has been "disappeared."
Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, has invited Oksana Chelysheva, Imran Ezhiev and Stanislav Dmitriyevsky, founding members of the Society of Russian Chechen Friendship to Dublin from the 13th –19th April to discuss how to strengthen the protection for human rights defenders in Chechnya.

“Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya are amongst those most at risk of being killed" said Mary Lawlor, Front Line Director, "their courageous work in an extremely hostile and dangerous environment is a great inspiration and it is crucial that we find ways to support them.”

Front Line is supporting the SRCF in the preparation a legal action pushing for a proper investigation of the killings of Aslan Davletukaev in January 2004, and Luisa Beterguerieva and Akhmed Ezhiev (nephew of Imran Ezhiev) in December 2001, as well as the “disappearance” of Arthur Akhmatkhanov in April 2003. The continued impunity enjoyed by those responsible for the killings and "disappearance" ensures that other human rights defenders continue to be at grave risk and Front Line is keen to support efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In 2000, human rights representatives and anti-war movements of the Chechen Republic and the Russian Federation formed the Society of Russian-Chechen Friendship, whose mission is to overcome mistrust and animosity between the people on all sides. This is achieved through assistance in peace talks and conflict settlements; protection of victims of military conflict; programs of rehabilitation for children of war; participation in litigations; lobbying for the release of forcefully detained persons; newspaper publications and daily dispatches on the human rights situation in Chechnya.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was reported on 22nd January 2004 to have dismissed his envoy for human rights in Chechnya, turning over the task of overseeing the issue to Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov. The move has sparked renewed concern from human rights organizations about the potential for ongoing human rights violations in the region. Front Line continues to be gravely concerned for the safety of Human Rights Defenders in Chechnya.

This is the three SRCF representatives first visit to Ireland and the first time outside Russia for Oksana Chelysheva and Stanislav Dmitriyevsky. Their programme includes meetings with the Department of Foreign Affairs, lectures in Trinity College and The Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway.

For further information please contact :
Andrew Anderson Tel: + 353 1 2123750
+353 87 2056867 andrewanderson@frontlinedefenders.org

Dmitri Vitaliev +353 87 1356665 dmitri@frontlinedefenders.org

The Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship http://www.friendly.narod.ru/