The Other Russia: Sochi Anti-Corruption Activist Nearly Beaten To Death
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posted by eagle on October, 2010 as Human Rights
October 27th, 2010 • Related • Filed Under
A prominent local human rights advocate who has worked to expose government corruption in the village of Lazarevskoe near the Black Sea city of Sochi has been nearly beaten to death by two unknown men, in the latest of a string of such attacks in the area. On Monday night, the victim, Mikhail Vinyukov, explained the situation to a correspondent with the Kasparov.ru news portal. Vinyukov says he was walking to the store around 9 pm that night when an adult man came up and began whacking him with an metal bar for no ostensible reason. Vinyukov initially managed to fight back, but another man with a metal bar then approached him from behind and began hitting him over the head. The rights advocate eventually managed to escape and ran to a hotel and office complex, where an ambulance was called ...
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Self-censorship Is Out Of The Question, Says Russia's 'Novaya Gazeta'
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posted by eagle on as Human Rights
27.10.2010Self-censorship is out of the question, says Russia's 'Novaya Gazeta'In its 2010 press freedom index, Reporters Without Borders ranked Russia higher than in previous years. It's a decision that has surprised independent Russian newspaper 'Novaya Gazeta.'"Novaya Gazeta," under close observation by Russia's state-run media control authority, is at risk of being shut down. Six months ago, editors received a first warning; a second reprimand could result in a withdrawal of the newspaper's license. The paper is a symbol for investigative journalism in Russia. Its authors stand up for human rights and freedom of expression. Some have lost their lives in the process, among them Anna Politkovskaya, who was critical of Russia's actions in Chechnya, and human rights activist Natalya Estemirova.
In an article entitled "Gang, agency, party: Who are the legal nationalists?" the Moscow paper reported on the structure and secretive activities of right-wing extremists, using quotes from the group's websites. Media control authorities ...
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chechnya-Sl: Elena Maglevannaya Granted Asylum
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posted by eagle on as Human Rights
Finrosforum
Oct 25
Elena Maglevannaya granted asylum
by Kerkko Paananen
Finnish authorities have granted asylum to the Russian journalist and human
rights defender, Elena Maglevannaya. She fled from Russia in May 2009 after
receiving threats for her press reports about the abuse and torture of Chechens
in Russian prisons. In a trial that was seen as heavily tilted in favour of the
prosecution, Elena was convicted of libel because of her articles. While waiting
for a decision on her asylum application in Finland, she continued her
investigations into prison conditions in Russia.
In July 2010, speaking in an interview with YLE News, Elena expressed confidence
in the European justice system: "Here in Finland, there is rule of law. I have
often been in a situation where law has no meaning or it does not exist at all,"
she said. Earlier, several leading human rights defenders started a petition to
the Finnish immigration authorities on Elena's behalf. Many Russian journalists
and human rights defenders who have highlighted ...>> full...
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The Other Russia: ‘Strategy 31′ Organizers At A Crossroads Over City Proposal
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posted by eagle on as Human Rights
October 25th, 2010 • Related • Filed UnderIn yet another development in the conflict over opposition rallies on Moscow’s Triumfalnaya Square, Moscow city authorities have once again changed their decision on whether to sanction the upcoming Strategy 31 rally on October 31, and now are proposing to allow 800 people to gather for the event. The proposal was made late Monday to Strategy 31 co-organizer and prominent rights activist Lyudmila Alexeyeva. Speaking to Ekho Moskvy radio, Alexeyeva said she "was just at the mayor’s office,” where officials said they were willing to "widen the part” of Triumfalnaya Square that they had proposed last week for the oppositionists to rally. The expansion, said officials, would "block traffic,” but if no more than 800 people took part in the rally, it would not be broken up by police as in each past Strategy 31 rally. "They say that about ...
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CHECHENPRESS: Nadezhda Banchik Appeals To Heidi Hautala
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posted by eagle on as Human Rights
Nadezhda Banchik appeals to Heidi Hautala I'm an Amnesty International member from the U.S., working on Russia/Chechnya. I am so disappointed by recent decision of the European Court on Human Rights to deport to Russia two Chechen asylum seekers, who were detained in Slovakia, Ali Ibragimov and Anzor Chentiev.
So far, the European Court on Human Rights in Strasbourg remained one of few European organizations who preserved their principles of fairness and justice. It acknowledged that in Chechnya, grave violations of human rights still are everyday reality.
What happened now? Did Russia demonstrated any evidence that could convince the respected court in change policies towards Chechens in the Russian Federation? No, there are no any evidence of such turn.
I urge you to URGENTLY appeal the decision on Ibragimov and Chentilov extradition. It is even more dangerous decision because it can become precedent for more and more human tragedies. Sincerely,
Nadezhda Banchik
4321 Payne Avenue, ... >> full...
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