15 July 2010, 23:00
Timur Tukhuzhev: situation with human rights in Kabardino-Balkaria is catastrophic
Lawyer Tukhuzhev from the Human Rights Centre "For Human Rights" finds the situation with defence of human rights in Kabardino-Balkaria to be catastrophic; according to his story, the Centre receives several complaints every month.
"People address us mainly with complaints against militia's lawlessness - every month we work with two-three complaints, although there are much more real cases," said the human rights activist in his interview to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.
He explained the small number of applications by two reasons: absence of trust that one can struggle with the authorities and lack of information about the Human Rights Centre.
"People have more trusts in radical Islamites than in legitimate authorities," said Timur Tukhuzhev. "Recently a video clip appeared in the Internet, where Tashuev, leader of the armed underground of the Baksan District, called the people who suffered from criminals to address him, having promised to restore justice. He announced jihad to Russia and all "disbelievers".
In the same clip, as the human rights defender notes, Tashuev took responsibility, together with his supporters, for the terror act on July 11 in Chegem, having named the explosion to be a warning and having promised next time to blow up the whole institution together with visitors.
"Unfortunately," Mr Tukhuzhev complained, "under the slogan of war on militants law enforcers detain innocent persons and force them to incur the responsibility for the crimes they never committed."
The HRC "For Human Rights" is also addressed by pensioners and incapacitated persons, who are not able independently defend their rights.
Author: Elena Khrustaleva Source: CK correspondent