Comments on slaying of Russian activist Estemirova
International reaction to the kidnapping and murder of Russian human rights activist Natalya Estemirova in the Caucasus. Estemirova, 50, was a leading member of the Chechen branch of the Russian human rights group Memorial.
Irene Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International:
“Natalya Estemirova’s murder is a consequence of the impunity that has been allowed to persist by the Russian and Chechen authorities. Human rights violations in Russia, and especially in the North Caucasus, can no longer be ignored. And those who stand up for human rights need protection.”
Kenneth Roth, director of Human Rights Watch:
“Estemirova fought for justice all her life, and the best way to honor her would be to find her killers and put them on trial. Ensuring her murder does not go unpunished would help to break the vicious cycle of abuse and impunity in Chechnya.”
Ramzan Kadyrov, president of the Russian region of Chechnya, whose security forces have been accused by Estemirova’s group of the abduction, torture and murder of suspected insurgents:
“I with all responsibility declare that I will personally control the investigation of the crime. All law enforcement bodies of Chechnya have been charged with doing everything possible and impossible to detain the culprits.”
Natalya Timakova, spokeswoman for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev:
“Unfortunately it is obvious that this premeditated murder can be linked with the rights defending activities of Natalya Estemirova … Because of this, the punishment for the perpetrator should be tougher.”
Shakhman Akbulatov, director of the Chechen branch of Memorial:
“She was never afraid of anyone, when she stood for truth, she defended people’s rights. They killed her because of her professional activities.”
Oleg Orlov, director of Memorial’s Moscow headquarters:
“Our fault was that we failed to get Natasha out of there.”
Mike Hammer, spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council in Washington:
“This brutal slaying is especially shocking coming one week after President Obama met with civil society activists in Moscow, including those from Natalya’s organization. Such a heinous crime sends a chilling signal to Russian civil society and the international community.”
Neil Hicks, international policy adviser for the group Human Rights First:
“It is time for President Medvedev to demonstrate his stated commitment to the rule of law by finding those responsible for Natalya Estemirova’s murder, and those responsible for the murders of other activists, and bringing them to justice.”
Makhmud Sakalov, lawmaker in Ingushetia region where Estemirova’s body was discovered:
“This crime is aimed at dividing two brotherly nations and destabilize the situation in Northern Caucasus.”
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