The American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus

ACPC Weekly News UPDATE
July 19, 2010 – July 25, 2010

U.S. Congress turns attention to the situation in the North Caucasus

On Tuesday, July 20, U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and the Co-Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission introduced House resolution 1539 expressing solidarity with human rights defenders in the Russian Federation. The resolution commemorates Natalya Estemirova, a prominent activist and researcher at Human Rights Center “Memorial” who was abducted and killed in Chechnya one year ago, and urges the Russian authorities to investigate unsolved murders of activists and journalists killed for their professional work, especially in the North Caucasus. The Commission also hosted a briefing on the human rights situation in Chechnya, entitled “In the Eye of the Storm: Chechnya and the Mounting Violence in the North Caucasus.”

Meanwhile, members of the Presidential Human Rights Council in Russia and other Russian activists appealed to President Dmitry Medvedev asking for protection for colleagues working in the Chechen republic following an interview given by the Kremlin-appointed President of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, during which he lambasted activists and independent journalists calling them enemies of the state and the people. The open letter to the Russian President, which was signed by the Human Rights Council chairwoman, Ella Pamfilova and more than a dozen rights activists, called the statement by Kadyrov a “direct threat” and expressed fear for the safety of fellow activists in Chechnya.

Rights groups have accused Kadyrov of harboring a climate of fear in Chechnya and members of his private militia have been implicated in numerous and grave rights violations, including forced disappearances and torture. Estemirova’s death in July 2009 prompted Human Rights Center “Memorial” to temporarily suspend its work in Chechnya out fear for the safety of its staff.

Related articles:

Rights activists in North Caucasus appeal to Medvedev for protection
RFE/RL, July 23, 2010

In the middle of the storm. Violence in the North Caucasus

Voice of America, July 21, 2010 (in Russian)

Activists ask Kremlin for protection in Chechnya
Reuters, July 20, 2010

Chechnya a year after the killing of Natalya Estemirova
U.S. Helsinki Commission, July 20, 2010

Experts question accuracy of claims made by authorities in the North Caucasus
As attacks continue to claim civilian and police lives, authorities in Dagestan issued a ‘final warning’ to militants and those suspected of aiding them, urging to stop all terrorist attacks or face ‘elimination.’ The statement comes as security forces in Dagestan continue to sustain mounting casualties despite increased counter-terrorist operations and the appointment of a new president by President Medvedev in February of this year. On Friday July 23, five men including a village chief were killed in Dagestan in separate shootouts.

In neighboring Ingushetia, the president of the republic Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, stated that there are only around 40 militants operating in the republic, but experts questioned the accuracy of the claim citing a recent upsurge in militant attacks and suicide bombings there. Meanwhile in Chechnya, the interior minister stated that a complete ‘elimination’ of all remaining militants by the end of the year was “fully realistic” despite similar claims made on numerous occasions in the past.

Despite the Kremlin’s revamped strategy to combat a low-level insurgency and the appointment of Alexander Khloponin, a special envoy to the region, by President Medvedev, militants have continued to mount almost-daily attacks against security services, including a series of deadly suicide bombings. Critics have questioned whether the authorities’ brutal tactics of reported abductions, torture and extrajudicial executions are radicalizing the local population and strengthening the militants’ agenda.