Protect Those Who Speak out Against Violations in Chechnya

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From Defender Alert Network:

Russian Human Rights Group Faces Closure under
Counterterror Law

The Chechen Committee for National Salvation (CCNS), a Russian human rights organization, once again faces closure under a counterterrorism law passed soon after September 11, 2001. On April 27, 2005, the organization's chairman, Ruslan Badalov, will go to court to face accusations that CCNS violated the law "On Countering Extremism" by issuing press releases describing government violations of human rights.

In October 2004, a Nazran, Ingushetia court dismissed government claims of extremist content in CCNS press releases. The government prosecutor appealed, and in February 2005 the Supreme Court of Ingushetia held hearings while Badalov was attending his mother's funeral. Neither Badalov nor his lawyer were notified. The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the lower court and sent the case back for new hearings. If the materials are found to be extremist, Badalov could face criminal prosecution.

Human rights defenders who speak out against abuses by the Russian government in the context of the conflict in Chechnya face increasingly direct pressure from the authorities. You can help protect the right of human rights workers and organizations to monitor and report on violations by opposing the misuse of counterterrorism laws to silence them.


Click Here to Take Action: http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/badalov/ii86xu64q7wm65w

Click here for more information on Ruslan Badalov