Human rights activists to keep eye on KadyrovTimur Aliyev, North Caucasus – Akhmad Kadyrov and various human rights organizations will work together in the issue of repatriation of Chechen refugees from Ingushetia, stated Ella Pamfilova, head of the Russian presidential human rights commission on January 30, during her visit to Chechnya and Ingushetia.
According to her, “Kadyrov is a reality we cannot change, and so we have to use this opportunity to help the people. If Kadyrov issues orders, someone has to check their fulfillment. And this is the task for human rights defenders."
Kadyrov is the man who will bear responsibility for any rights violations of the refugees, she explained, after visiting the refugee camps in Ingushetia. "I’m very displeased by the fact that in these camps there are officials of various [state] agencies who cannot talk with the people on a humane level. Instead of satisfying people, they puff themselves up and act like big shots," said Pamfilova.
Pamfilova also stressed that forcible repatriation of refugees as well as setting a deadline for closing the camps cannot be allowed.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Kadyrov, members of the presidential commission, and the human rights organization Memorial in Grozny.
In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree according to which Russian presidential human rights commissioner for Chechnya Abdul-Khakim Sultygov was dismissed and Akhmad Kadyrov, whom the Kremlin installed as president of the republic in manipulated elections in October 2003, effectively took over his duties, i.e. responsibility for the human rights situation in the republic. (H/E,T) |
