“The arson attack this night on the Ingushetia office of Memorial, a leading Russian rights group, is very alarming. I call on the federal and regional authorities to investigate it thoroughly and in full transparency.
Human rights NGOs have an important role to play in the civil society in all member states and their work must be protected.
Recent events in the North Caucasus, including the detention and situation regarding Oyub Titiyev, head of Memorial's office in Grozny, are of great concern.
We expect that the necessary steps will be undertaken to guarantee that the commitments taken by the Russian Federation under the European Convention on Human Rights are fully respected”.
