29/03/2010 Legal Affairs and Human Rights
, 29.03.2010 – Dick Marty (, ALDE), the rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the situation in the , today made the following statement:
“Having only returned a few hours ago from the North Caucasus, I learned with shock what was happening in . I would like to express my condolences and my solidarity with the victims of this horrible and cowardly crime. During the last week I spent in the , I was deeply moved by, and felt a sense of great compassion for, the suffering which the men and women of this magnificent region have endured for so many years following the years of extreme violence and the impunity which continues to reign there.
I want the authors of these crimes found and judged, and I hope that those who try to destroy the democratic system and the rule of law will fail. I am confident that ’s institutions will know how to respond in a way which is both effective and remains true to the values which the people of the hold dear. President Medvedev’s reference, in his statement following the attacks, to the importance of respecting human rights is a very positive signal in this regard.”