The American Committee for Peace in the Caucasus

Prominent human rights activist killed

On July 15, unknown gunmen kidnapped and murdered Natalya Estemirova, a prominent human rights activist and vocal critic of federal and regional counter-terrorism policies. Her bullet ridden body was discovered in the afternoon on the side of a highway in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia, after she was kidnapped by her apartment building earlier in the day. Oleg Orlov, the chairperson of Memorial, directly accused Ramzan Kadyrov of Estemirova’s murder citing a previous incident during which Kadyrov personally threatened the activist.

As a researcher for Human Rights Center Memorial, Estemirova was involved in highly sensitive cases dealing with kidnappings, torture, and extrajudicial executions carried out by federal security services and members of Kadyrov’s private militia as part of a brutal campaign against a militant insurgency. Findings from her research were used in the latest report published by Human Rights Watch which documented the collective punishment of families of alleged militants by Chechen authorities that drew condemnation from the international community. Following the report’s publication, Chechen ombudsman Nurdi Nukhazhiyev personally contacted Memorial staff and urged them to “change their tactics.” As a result of Estemirova’s murder and out of concern for remaining staff, Memorial was forced to suspend operations in Chechnya, eliminating the main source of reliable information regarding the human rights situation in Chechnya.

Related articles:

“Memorial” to suspend work in Chechnya
Caucasian Knot, July 18, 2009
A fearless activist in a land of thugs
New York Times, July 17, 2009
Slain activist faced pressure from Chechen leader
Associated Press, July 17, 2009
The dogs are barking
The Washington Post, July 17, 2009
And then there were none
Foreign Policy, July 16, 2009
Orlov: Chechen President had threatened Natalya Estemirova
Caucasian Knot, July 16, 2009 (in Russian)
Three soldiers injured in Chechnya during shootout
Caucasian Knot, July 20, 2009 (in Russian)

Violence continues to plague Ingushetia as President recovers

Two Russian soldiers and two Ingush officials were killed in separate incidents in Ingushetia. Brazen attacks on authorities have turned into daily occurrences as a state of lawlessness continues to pervade in a republic whose President is still recovering after an assassination attempt last month. Doctors are optimistic about Yevkurov’s prospects who issued his first public statement urging young Ingush to return to “peaceful life” and reiterating his commitment to eliminate the militants.

Related articles:

Two soldiers killed in Ingushetia
Kommersant, July 19, 2009 (in Russian)
Ingush President is able to walk and is well aware of the situation in his republic
Caucasian Knot, July 18, 2009 (in Russian)
2 dead in Ingushetia attack, minister alive: official
AFP, July 17, 2009

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