AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA-Press Release

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

Embargoed until October 25, 2007 00:01 GMT


Amnesty International Calls on Russian Federation to Adhere to the Rule of Law in Ingushetia and Avoid Repeating Mistakes Made in Chechnya



(Washington, DC)--Amnesty International warned that Russian and Ingush government authorities must not repeat mistakes made in Chechnya. There are an increasing number of enforced "disappearances," abductions and other human rights violations as the situation in Ingushetia, Chechnya's neighbor in the Russian Federation, rapidly deteriorates.

"After their blunders in Chechnya, the Russian authorities cannot afford to defy the law in dealing with the explosive situation in Ingushetia," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA executive director. "The Russian Federation government must ensure that any detention of Ingush detainees is performed in accord with Russian law and international human rights standards.

"Russian forces frequently disregarded the law during the Chechnya conflict and conducted 'disappearances' and torture of civilians. These shameful actions have damaged the lives and psyche of the civilians and also undercut the Federation's global credibility. The rule of law must be the center of any response to the security crisis in Ingushetia. Anything less is not only illegal but immoral," said Cox.

On the eve of the forthcoming European Union-Russia summit in Portugal on October 26, Amnesty International urges the Russian Federation to abide by international treaties to which it has agreed. Russian and Ingush authorities must ensure that their security forces' actions are carried out according to international standards and Russian law.

Law enforcement officials are reportedly conducting document checks and detentions in Ingushetia without identifying themselves, and in some cases wearing masks. In an apparently punitive raid on the village of Ali Yurt in July 2007, villagers were reportedly rounded up and beaten, while seven men were detained and taken to the building of the Federal Security Services in Magas where some were reportedly ill-treated. At least three men have been shot dead in the town of Nazran by law enforcement officers over the course of the year. While the authorities have stated that these men had put up armed resistance, witnesses to the killings claim that the men were summarily executed. Similar incidents have been reported in the towns of Malgobek and Karabulak.

Three men are still missing after being abducted by Russian security forces in Ingushetia this year. A fourth man's whereabouts remain unknown, after he went missing in March 2007. Other men have been released after having been abducted. Some of these detainees have been ill-treated or held in secret detention, including in pits dug in the ground. A number of other ethnic Ingush men are reported to have gone missing in neighboring North Ossetia. Their relatives believe they may have been detained by law enforcement officials and subsequently disappeared.

Ibragim Gazdiev, an ethnic Ingush, was, according to witnesses, seized by armed men in camouflage, at 12:54 pm on August 8, 2007, in Karabulak, in the Russian Republic of Ingushetia. He has not been seen or heard from since and according to unofficial information, may be held in incommunicado detention in Ingushetia or in a neighboring North Caucasus republic. The authorities however have officially denied that Gazdiev is being held in detention, and Amnesty International has grave concerns for his safety. The prosecutor's office is reported to have opened a criminal investigation into Gazdiev's abduction.

"U.S. government policy must not overlook the harmful results of Russia's violations related to the armed conflict in Chechnya," said Maureen Greenwood-Basken, Amnesty International USA advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia. "The lack of accountability for Russian security forces and armed groups appears to be spreading from Chechnya to Ingushetia. The U.S. government should address this impunity with Russian authorities and continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the beleaguered North Caucasus and support for the human rights defenders in the region."

Amnesty International is also concerned about human rights abuses reportedly committed by armed groups against civilians, including abductions. The organization has also received information that unknown gunmen are committing numerous attacks against members of ethnic Russian families and then detonating a bomb at the funeral of one of the victims. In addition, members of a Roma family, two Korean men and a Dagestani family have also been killed during such attacks. At the same time, armed groups have launched attacks, often fatal, against members of law enforcement agencies in Ingushetia.


Contact: Sharon Singh, 202-544-0200x302