23 July 2009, 22:40
Russia's MFA finds independent investigation of Estemirova's murder suggested by the United Nations illegal
Experts of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) will not be able to hold their own independent investigation into the murder of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova, as it is contradictory to the Russian legislation. This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of the Russian Federation.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that independent experts of the United Nations in the area of human rights offered help to Russian government in investigating the recent series of murders of human rights activist, lawyers and journalists, including the murder of Natalia Estemirova, an employee of the HRC "Memorial".
The MFA marks that the joint statement of the HRC's Special Rapporteurs contains only a request to invite them to Russia for rendering assistance to Russian authorities in investigating the murders and attacks on journalists and human rights activists committed in Russia.
"The official letter, received by Russian authorities from these experts, also says nothing about their own investigation," the "Gazeta.Ru" quotes the MFA's comment.
At the same time, the Ministry states that Russia is ready to take help from UN experts, if they possess any information that can contribute to investigation, as marked by the "Lenta.ru".
According to Manfred Novak, Special Rapporteur of the UN Committee against Torture, first of all experts would like to get where Estemirova worked - to Chechnya.
"It's not a routine practice, but we can't treat it as an absolute exception either. Certainly, the responsibility for investigating this murder is, first of all, on the Russian government. On the other hand, the practice has shown that previous murders of this sort had not been really opened. Those guilty of murdering human rights activists and journalists were not made answerable. Therefore, I think, only international interference can help," Mr Novak said in his interview to Radio Liberty.
