06 October 2003, 13:01
Statement of Chechen non-government human rights organizations regarding events in Kabardino-Balkaria
On October 29, 2003, 29 representatives of Chechen non-government human rights organizations promulgated a statement regarding September events in Kabardino-Balkaria. Here are some extracts from their statement:
"September of the current year was marked with a new splash of anti-Chechen hysteria."
"For several days crowds of young people caught Chechens, mainly students, in the streets and in hospices of Kabardino-Balkaria's capital and smote the "aliens" hip and thigh."
"However there was no honest interior ministry's officer at that time who tried to interfere and stop the despotism."
"Neither political authorities of Kabardino-Balkaria, nor the republican interior ministry's leadership have yet given the appraisal of what happened. No pogrom-maker has been detained and punished for his unlawful acts. It proves once more that residents of the Chechen Republic are virtually outlawed today."
"We decidedly condemn the actions of destructive forces in Kabardino-Balkaria aimed at kindling interethnic strife and intolerance between the Chechens and brotherly Kabardian nation. We all have common destiny, common interests and a common native land - the Caucasus. We think the responsibility for these scandalous facts of despotism against citizens of the Chechen Republic lies with the government of Kabardino-Balkaria first of all."
Source: Public organization "Chechen National Rescue Committee"
