Statement by Chechen National Salvation Committee

Valery Kraev, first deputy chief of the main penal authority at the Russian Justice Ministry, said on Friday, May 7, that the Justice Ministry had information that human rights organizations provide funding for gangs. The Russian Nationwide Movement for Human Rights headed by Lev Ponomariov is one of such organizations, in his view.

The Chechen National Salvation Committee regional public movement believes this statement is intended to slander various Russian human rights organizations that directly handle protection of civil rights from abuse of law on the part of government and law enforcement agencies, and to disorder the well-organized operation of human rights organizations.

The situation is confusing even because Valery Kraev who represents the Russian Justice Ministry makes such incautious and absurd statements whereby he discredits the Russian state system as a whole.

Making such statements, Kraev ought to have submitted at once the Justice Ministry's evidence proving that. Since this did not happen, we consider Valery Kraev's accusations sheer slander as it is in a public statement, defaming all human rights organizations.

Kraev must confirm through the media that the information he disseminated with regard to the Russian Nationwide Movement for Human Rights is unproven.

Ruslan Badalov,
Chairman, Chechen National Salvation Committee

May 8, 2004
Nazran, Ingushetia