About ACPC The American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus (ACPC) at Freedom House is dedicated to disseminating knowledge about the peoples, cultures and regions of the North Caucasus, including Chechnya, Ingushetia, Dagestan, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachayevo-Cherkessia and Adygeya. Committee’s particular concern is for the diverse cultures and peoples who are threatened by the spread of violence in the North Caucasus, as a result of two Chechen wars and continuous outbreaks of violence elsewhere in the region. The ACPC coordinates with an international network of human rights and democracy advocates, journalists, scholars and nongovernmental organizations promoting increased human rights monitoring and reporting as well as analysis of regional developments and their implications for stability in the Caucasus, for democracy-building in Russia and the Caucasus, and for international peace and security.

Freedom House reports Regional analysis of political rights and civil liberties in Russia and the Caucasus can be found in Freedom House publications: Freedom in the World 2007: Russia Nations in Transit The Worst of the Worst: the World's Most Repressive Societies Freedom of the Press.

The Committee benefits from guidance of its Advisory Committee, including former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former Secretary of State Alexander M. Haig, Jr. and former Congressman Stephen J. Solarz. Former Ambassador Max M. Kampelman is Advisor Emeritus.

What We Do:

Information sharing: ACPC seeks to advance public awareness of conflicts in the North Caucasus and their implications for human rights, democracy in Russia and regional stability by regularly providing information on the regional developments and related events using ACPC website and newsletter. Those interested in receiving weekly updates on news and events of importance, related to the North Caucasus region, are encouraged to subscribe to ACPC weekly news update.

Raising awareness: By organizing public events with high-profile dissidents, government officials, journalists and regional experts at forums, conferences and universities across North America, Committee gives a voice to the communities of the North Caucasus. If you or your organization would like to host or co-sponsor a speaker, please contact us in Washington, DC.

Supporting the cause through international networks: Working in close partnerships with organizations around the world, ACPC promotes the cause of peace and human rights in numerous international forums. Particularly, the Committee seeks to expand the international support networks for human rights defenders and local nongovernmental organizations that are at risk of becoming further isolated from the international community due to stricter government regulations being imposed on civic groups in Russia in 2006. For instance, the Committee issued a joint letter with the Danish Support Committee for Chechnya and the Paris-based Comite Tchetchenie in an effort to condition the reinstatement of Russia's voting rights at the Council of Europe on ending human rights abuses in Chechnya.

Government outreach: Despite compelling analysis by distinguished scholars, and widespread documentation of atrocities by journalists and humanitarian organizations, a coherent U.S. policy toward the region remains lacking. Working in conjunction with partners throughout the world, the American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus seeks to fill this critical void. Widely recognized as a serious advocate for human rights and regional stability, ACPC arranges private meetings, briefings and other events for a growing host of influential legislators from both major political parties. The committee works also closely with House and Senate staff to craft and pass legislation and resolutions. In March 2001, for example, the Committee and several leading human rights groups successfully convinced the U.S. government to co-sponsor a sweeping United Nations resolution (E/CN.4/RES/2001/24) concerning the conflict.

We encourage you to take action by contacting your elected officials and urge them to address the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian crisis in the region.

Read program press releases here.

This site was prepared by the ACPC and is intended for informational use only. Information contained herein should not be construed as representing the opinions of the ACPC's Advisory Committee, Members or Staff - or the policy of any government - unless otherwise explicitly stated. Links from this site to other Internet resources do not represent an endorsement by the ACPC of the information and/or opinions contained therein. The site is subject to change without notice. Accordingly, the ACPC cannot guarantee that information contained within the site will always be correct, complete, up to date, or that materials accessible from this site are free of viruses. Inquiries regarding the ACPC or this site should be directed to acpc@peaceinthecaucasus.org.