Mr Oleg Orlov at his court hearing in Moscow

On 6 October 2009, human rights defender Mr Oleg Orlov, chairman of Human Rights Center Memorial, was fined and ordered to retract public statements following a defamation lawsuit brought against him by the President of the Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. Human Rights Centre Memorial concentrates its activities on human rights violations in zones of armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, and on the protection of refugees and victims of discrimination and political persecution.

Following the assassination of Natalia Estemirova, head of the Human Rights Centre Memorial office in Grozny, on 15 July 2009, Oleg Orlov published a statement indicating that he believed President Kadyrov, or his administration, was responsible for the murder, based on direct threats which had reportedly been made against her. Human Rights Centre Memorial later decided to suspend its activities in Chechnya due to the absence of protection for human rights defenders and the unstable situation in the region. Front Line reported on the assassination of Natalia Estemirova on 16 July 2009.

President Kadyrov lodged an administrative complaint of libel, arguing that Oleg Orlov's statement damaged the "honour and dignity” of the president of Chechnya and seeking 10 million rubles (approx. $330,000) in damages. The Tverskoy District Court of Moscow, after the two sessions of hearings, on 25 September 2009 and on 6 October 2009, ordered Oleg Orlov to retract the statement and ruled that Memorial Human Rights Centre should pay 50,000 rubles (approx. €1,140). Oleg Orlov was ordered to personally pay 20,000 rubles (about €450) in damages.

Speaking to Front Line, Oleg Orlov expressed his intention to appeal the decision and if necessary, to go before the European Court of Human Rights. Oleg Orlov continues to claim that President Kadyrov was responsible for an environment of lawlessness and impunity in Chechnya, and that he continues to threaten human rights defenders who refuse to collaborate with the presidential administration in Chechnya. Despite the verdict, Oleg Orlov was satisfied with the fact that the trial provides an opportunity to speak publicly about human rights violations committed in Chechnya, despite reported restrictions on freedom of speech in the Russian Federation.

On 6 October 2009, Ramzan Kadyrov's lawyer declared his client's intention to lodge a similar complaint against the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, in which several human rights defenders, including assassinated journalists Anna Politkovskaya and Natalia Estemirova, published articles about human rights abuses in Chechnya.

Front Line believes that the verdict against Oleg Orlov is directly linked to his work in the defence of human rights, in particular his criticism of the political administration. Front Line continues to fear for the security of the members of Human Rights Centre Memorial and for all human rights defenders working in Chechnya.

Front Line urges the Russian authorities to:

1.Overturn the verdict against human rights defender Oleg Orlov and Memorial, as Front Line believes they were fined as a result of their legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;

2.Carry out immediate, thorough and impartial investigations into the killings of human rights defenders in the Russian Federation, including that of Natalia Estemirova in Chechnya, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

3.Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological security and integrity of members of Memorial, as well as that of other human rights defenders working in Chechnya and members of their families;

4.Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in the Russian Federation are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

Click on the following links to access the original July Front Line Appeal