23:42, 21 February 2004

Chechen human rights activists and refugees join Olivier Dupuis' hunger strike

Chechen refugees have responded to the hunger strike that European Parliament Member Olivier Dupuis has been conducting since 18 January 2004. By his action, Olivier Dupuis wants to urge the governments of the democratic countries, beginning with the countries of the European Union, to tackle the issue of the Chechen genocide with determination. Chechen human rights activists and refugees decided to support the European parliamentarian by going on hunger strike beginning from 20 February 2004 in solidarity with him. Lechi Sardalov, Mate Tsekhisashvili, Madina, Magomadova, Ruslan Badalov, Zargan Makhadjiyev are among those human rights activists who went on hunger strike. Some refugees living in tent camps also joined the hunger strikers.

Editors note: See also the article "European Parliament member continues hunger strike in defense of Chechnya".

Source: Public organization "Chechen National Rescue Committee"