To President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin
00:00, February 6, 2007 | Announcements | Freedom of Information and Speech
The Kremlin, Moscow, Russian Federation
Being a representative of human rights organization I urge you and your government, to respect and support the work of human rights defenders in the Russian Federation, who peacefully exercise their right to freedom of expression and carry out legitimate and valuable work.
In particular I am concerned about attempts to close the non-governmental organization Russian Chechen Friendship Society, which monitors the human rights situation in the North Caucasus and undertakes humanitarian initiatives for individuals affected by the armed conflict in Chechnya.
Therefore, I respectfully call on you and the government of the Russian Federation:
* to allow the Russian Chechen Friendship Society to freely conduct their legitimate and valuable work
* to refrain from prosecuting members of the RCFS for their peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression
* to review the implementation of the restrictive new NGO legislation
* to make a public statement of support for human rights defenders and independent journalists.
Sincerely,
Arthur Sakunts
Coordinator of NGO
„Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor”