Situation of human rights defenders in Russia in light of the recent abuses in Chechnya
A Greens/EFA Seminar and film screening
Heidi Hautala MEP, Chairwoman of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights, would like to invite you to the screening of the new film "Russian Lessons" by Andrei Nekrasov and to a Seminar on the situation of human rights defenders in Russia, on 29. and 30. September 2009 respectively, in room PHS 07C50 and ASP 1H1.
This year a pattern of killing human rights defenders in Russia has worsened dramatically. Victims have been journalists who publicize grave and continuing human rights abuses in Chechnya as well as human rights lawyers.
Russia is a party to both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, both of which legally oblige states to protect the freedom of speech and guarantee liberty and security of those within their jurisdictions. In line with this, the Chechen and Russian authorities must investigate and hold accountable the perpetrators of these crimes.
The film "Russian Lessons" will be screened on 29. September at 18:30-20:30, in room PHS 07C50 and a debate on the film will be held afterwards. Russian Lessons (2009) by renowned Russian filmmaker Andrei Nekrasov is a brand new film about last year's Russian-Georgian conflict. The film connects the dots between the recent war and the complete post-Soviet history. The darkest secrets and the whole context of the events have been kept in the dark so far. Come
The Seminar will be held on 30. September at 10:30-13:30 in room ASP 1H1 and it is sponsored by the Green/EFA group in the EP. It precedes a formal hearing on Russia in the Subcommittee on Human Rights in the same day at 15-17:30, in room ASP 1G3.
Heidi Hautala has invited Karinna Moskalenko, Oksana Chelysheva and Sergei Kovalev to attend and take part in these events.
Contact and further information :
heidi.hautala@europarl.europa.eu
