23:00, 15 September 2009

Several NGOs stand in defence of NCHR in Krasnodar Territory

Vadim Karastelev, the expert of Human rights committee of Novorossisk, the inscriprion on the poster says: "Freedom is not someting to give, it is something to take". Photo by Human rights committee of Novorossisk

After the news appeared that the Prosecutor's Office of Novorossisk had sent a petition to the court on suspension of the activity of the Novorossisk Committee on Human Rights (NCHR), a number of Russian NGO voiced in defence of human rights defenders: AGORA, YURIX, MHG (Moscow Helsinki Group) and Foundation "Public Verdict". The Movement "For Human Rights" has made a statement; and another statement is prepared, which will be soon open for signing-in. This was reported by Vadim Karastelyov, an expert of the NCHR.

He believes that this attention can arouse the effect positive for the Committee.

"As to the position of the authorities, despite a wide resonance, none of them ever telephoned or offered anything. The court can quite well uphold the Prosecutor's Office; and the territorial court will approve the decision of the judge. However, let's hope for the better and continue 'taking the freedom', i.e., not to let officials sit on your head and commit lawlessness," Vadim Karastelyov said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Author: Dmitry Florin

Source: CK correspondent