Russian human rights activists welcome PACE report on human rights in the North Caucasus

Russian human rights activists are welcoming the report of Dick Marty from Switzerland, at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on the situation regarding human rights in the North Caucasus, but they call on European parliamentarians "to be sceptical" and to carefully examine how the statements of the document will be implemented after its signing, RIA Novosti reports.Oleg Orlov, the head of the human rights center "Memorial", says that he evaluates the document highly. He says that "it points out the real reasons for the present state of affairs in the North Caucasus... the document is very important for the Russian side".

The discussion on the report will be held on June 22nd in the PACE.The situation regarding human rights in the North Caucasus is described as serious and sensible. In particular, it is said that an atmosphere of fear is being supported by the authorities in Chechnya, opposition and human rights' activists continue to disappear. Growth of violence is being observed in Ingushetia and frequent terrorist attacks have led to tough actions on the part of the law-enforcement agencies in Dagestan.PACE calls on the cabinet council of the European Council to pay more attention to the situation regarding human rights in the North Caucasus.

Oleg Orlov has said that "the Russian authorities have to understand that stability is impossible in the Caucasus without human rights".