Russian human rights activists and opposition manifest for peace in Georgia

A number of Russian human rights and oppositional organizations have moved the Antiwar Manifesto, announcing a termless antiwar campaign of civil protest until durable peace is established in Georgia.

The authors of the Manifesto warn that "every day and every hour before the complete and final peace has been settled bears a threat of new victims and destructions, and new reasons for mutual distrust among neighbouring nations."

They call on the leaders of Russia, Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia to order immediate and complete ceasefire, ensure its real observance, and return troops to the separation line as of August 6, 2008.

Also, the signatories of the document ask the authorities and people of Georgia not to give in to provocations and refrain from any attempts to solve the problems of territorial integrity of their country through use of force.

The human rights activists and oppositional politicians demand that the United Nations, OSCE and the European Union immediately activate their participation as mediators in the peacemaking process between the parties at war; send observers to monitor the observance of ceasefire and separation of the parties in conflict; set up a permanent mission for monitoring the observance of national minorities' rights and safe return of refugees to the places of their permanent residence; and investigate into all the charges of crimes against humanity.

The appeal was signed by activists of the Movement "For Human Rights", Antiwar Club, Society "Memorial", United Civil Front, Movement "Smena" (Change) and others.