To: hdl who wrote (19543 ) 10/27/2002 10:53:41 AM From: DeplorableIrredeemableRedneck Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 27712 too bad. molly-coddling will not rid us of the muslim threat AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE News Flash AI Index: EUR 46/052/2002 (Public) News Service No: 192 26 October 2002 Russian Federation: Amnesty International expresses condolences Moscow - Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Khan offered her condolences to all those who have suffered in the hostage-taking ordeal in Moscow, as she arrives in the city today. "I would like to express my deepest condolences and sympathy to the relatives who have lost loved ones." Amnesty International reiterates its fullest condemnation of the taking of hostages, which is a violation of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. Those responsible for the terrifying ordeal in the Moscow theatre must be held accountable for these violations of international humanitarian law, and also must be treated in full accordance with the law. Amnesty International welcomed the statement made by President Vladimir Putin yesterday, in which he cautioned against a surge in anti-Chechen sentiment. The organization urged the Russian authorities to ensure that Chechen and other ethnic minorities are not victims of arbitrary treatment. The operation for the release of the hostages carried out by Russian security forces was reportedly triggered by the execution of two hostages by the captors. A number of hostages appear to have died in the operation and the majority of the hostage takers were reportedly killed. Irene Khan will be in Moscow between 26 October and 1 November. She will discuss human rights issues with representatives of the Russian government and NGO community. She will also meet victims of human rights violations. Ms Khan will hold a press conference on Tuesday 29 October at 1200 hrs, local time, at the Central House of Journalists, 8a Nikitskii Boulevard, Moscow 121019. For more information, please contact: Judit Arenas on + 44 7778 472 188 (UK mobile) or + 7 903 286 2561 (Russian mobile). Lydia Aroyo on + 44 7798 555 629 (UK mobile) or + 7 903 113 4874 (Russian mobile). Public Document **************************************** For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: amnesty.org For latest human rights news view news.amnesty.org