Human Rights in the North Caucasus

Date:

Fri, 04/15/2011 - 10:00 AM

Location:

2168 Rayburn House Office Building

Hearing Notice

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing human rights in the North Caucasus, an area that includes the territories of Chechnya, Dagestan, and Ingushetia, among others. In this volatile region-often considered the border between Europe and Asia-terrorism has intensified in recent years. In January 2011, at least 35 people were killed by North Caucasus-linked extremists in the tragic suicide bombing of the Domodedovo Airport in Moscow.

This hearing will examine the international legal framework for counterterrorism and evaluate Russia's compliance with that framework through its operations in the North Caucasus. The hearing will address whether the Russian government may be exacerbating the terrorist threat by failing to protect human rights, notably the prohibition against torture and the rights to liberty and security of person, and how such actions may contribute to radicalizing insurgent groups. The hearing will also review how Islamic radicalization impinges on freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and women's rights.

If you have any questions, please contact Ari Levin (Rep. McGovern) or Elizabeth Hoffman (Rep. Wolf) at 202-225-8097.

Hosted by:

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC

Frank R. Wolf
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC

Witnesses

Panel I

Martin Scheinin, UN Special Rapporteur on Counterterrorism and Human Rights
Written testimony

Panel II

Sacha Koulaeva, Head of Europe and Central Asia desk, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Written testimony
Miriam Lanskoy, Russia and Eurasia Director, National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
Written testimony
Dokka Itslaev, Coordinator for Chechnya, Human Rights Center Memorial
Written testimony
Ali Israilov, victim of human rights abuse in Chechnya
Written testimony

Meeting Documents

Transcript

Video

Accessibility

The Commission seeks to make its events, meetings and hearings accessible to persons with disabilities.

If you are in need of special accommodations, please call (202) 225-3599 at least four business days in advance.

Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Commission materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.) may be directed to the Commission.