Moscow/Agency Caucasus – Memorial, a human rights organization based in Moscow, capital of Russia, disclosed to the press the details of its 80-page report on Ingushetia.
The report, titled "Ingushetia: 2007. Where next?," was composed of official data, news items, witness accounts and statements by people who got involved in incidents that happened both in 2007 and early 2008.
The report seems to be essentially intended as a warning against the future possibility of Ingushetia becoming a second Chechnya unless security forces refrain from terrorizing the youth into going underground.
The following is a selection of major points from this report:
The situation went all the worse in the second half of 2007. News of almost daily attacks at public servants came from Ingushetia in July, August, September and October. There was an increase of 85 percent in the number of attacks against security forces in 2007 when compared with 2006. While security forces were supposed to establish a new security system, the former system was retained in favour of action by security forces to shoot or kidnap or torture detainees and allowing the underground to grow.
Most Ingushes do not support the resistance fighters, just as they did not in the past; they do not appreciate the separatist ideology; they want the state organization not to be Islamized. However, the public trust in public institutions is growing less and less.
The country suffers a political crisis. The current administration is not capable of improving the situation and of solving the problems. It can save the public neither from being a target at attacks by resistance fighters nor from being subjected to arbitrary treatment by security forces. It can neither boost the economy nor create new job opportunities. It cannot even defend the public interests.
The people are denied the right to meet and stage demonstrations.
If the current situation continues to exist without a change, Ingushetia is likely to become another Kabardino-Balkaria or Chechnya. Besides, the youth is unlikely to stop developing radical views unless they are offered job positions.
Efficient measures must be taken in order to stop mass, systematic violation of human rights. Objective inquires into violations of any kind must be established and criminals must be punished, too.
There needs to be put an end to kidnapping civilians and holding them captive temporarily. Temporary detention centers must be open to inspection by international organizations. Russia must cooperate with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, with the European Council and with the United Nations Council of Human Rights. ÖZ/FT
