In Warsaw, Poland, from September 29th to October 10th, 2008, the annual meeting of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) was held to review the implementation of the obligations of member states in the field of human rights. Participants in the meeting were representatives from governments of OSCE participating States (56 countries), public organizations, as well as institutions and missions of the OSCE and other international organizations.

From September 30th to October 3rd, issues directly related to counter-terrorism and human rights were addressed, so I was invited by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to participate in this part of the meeting by making a presentation.

Be first to comment this article | Views: 3970 | E-mail

Today is already the 9th anniversary of the terrorist attack in Volgodonsk, the least known and, I think, the most destructive terrorist attack in Russian history.

Be first to comment this article | Views: 6379 | E-mail

Aleta Gasinova and Saneta Sabanova, victims of the terrorist capture of the school in Beslan, were at the UN headquarters in New York today, attending a symposium on support for victims of terrorism. They talked about the horrors they lived through, and the loss of relatives and friends. Saneta, the youngest participant at the symposium, stated that, in Beslan, there are still many victims who are in need of medical treatment, and she urged the UN to assist them.

Be first to comment this article | Views: 5243 | E-mail

On March 5th, 2002, the movie «The Assassination of Russia», shot by French journalists, was shown in London. The 'Liberal Russia' movement intended to air the film, which was about the 1999 bombings of apartment buildings in Moscow and Volgodonsk. Actively participating in this was Sergey Yushenkov, a member of the Russian parliament. The main purpose of the action, the MP emphasized, was «to find out the truth, to attain an objective investigation of what happened in Moscow and Volgodonsk and was being prepared for Ryazan.»

«We can provide any Russian law enforcement authority in Russia with the facts and documents connected with the case. We are ready to give these documents to every Member of Parliament, and during public hearings and a public inquiry we will once again raise the question of the role of the secret services in Russia, and their lack of control,» said Sergei Yushenkov.

None of the official television channels has shown the entire film. I am offering my readers a transcript of the film, which was published on the website «September terror».

Be first to comment this article | Views: 11853 | E-mail

5 September 2008 – Member States of the United Nations have taken the lead in the fight against terrorism, forging ahead with implementing the first global and common strategy to tackle the scourge, General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim said today.

The President convened a meeting which kicked off yesterday to review the landmark 2006 Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, with over 100 Member States taking part.

The meeting concluded today with the Assembly’s adoption of a resolution reaffirming support for the Strategy; reiterating Member States’ strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations; and confirming that Member States have the primary responsibility to implement the document.

The Assembly also decided to review the implementation of the Strategy again in two years time and “to consider updating it to respond to changes,” according to the resolution.

Be first to comment this article | Views: 4165 | E-mail

Little Arseny is four. He was born just after the Beslan tragedy (PHOTO). His older sister died in the school gymnasium. Only because of her son was Svetlana Margiyeva able to survive the loss of her daughter, who died in her arms inside the captured school. Since that time, Svetlana comes to the Beslan city cemetery every morning.

Be first to comment this article | Views: 4649 | E-mail