Public organizations condemn liquidation of regional department of "Liberal Russia"

August 1, 2003, was marked by an unprecedented event that abused all democratic achievements of the new Russian society and made the whole jus of Russia doubtful. The point is that under the pressure of federal authorities the regional department of justice liquidated the Astrakhan Regional Department of the Political Party "Liberal Russia".

To put it mildly, the circumstances connected with this event cause perplexity. The existence of  the active political organization numbering several hundreds of people is ceased at the bidding of a minor regional functionary despite the decision of the court that supported the position of local liberals.

We, the representatives of the regional public organizations, express our protest and indignation. We declare our total solidarity with our colleagues from the "Liberal Russia" and appeal to the Commissioner for Human Rights Vladislav Vladimirovich Vinogradov, the regional government, Prosecutor of the Astrakhan region with the request to interfere and prevent the elimination of Russian public unions unwelcome to authorities.

Astrakhan Representatives of the Association of Non-Profit Organizations "In Defense of Voters' Rights "GOLOS"

Astrakhan Regional Department of the "Youth Union of Lawyers"

Astrakhan Regional Public Organization "Student Union"