Lord Rea and Lord Judd sent a letter to the Russian Ambassador in the UK on the recent murders of Natalya Estemirova, Zarema Sadulayeva and Alik Dzhabrailov.

Here is the letter:

His Excellency Yury Fedotov
Ambassador of the Russian Federation
13 Kensington Palace Gardens
London W8 4QX

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

Re: Murders of Natalia Estemirova, Zarema Sadulayeva and Alik Dzhabrailov.

I wish to draw your attention the recent killings of Natalia Estemirova, Zarema Sadulayeva and Alik Dzhabrailov!

All of the above were taken by masked individuals from outside their offices in central Grozny in broad daylight. Mrs Sadulayeva and Mr. Dzhabrailov were arrested by men identifying themselves as members of the local security services. All have have been found murdered hours later in the most brutal circumstances.

Mrs. Estemirova had a long and brave record defending human rights in Chechnya and the North Caucasus. Mrs Sadulayeva and Mr. Dzhabrailov were founders of the local NGO, Save the Generation, which since 2001 has provided psychological and physical rehabilitation to children with disabilities, orphans and victims of landmines in Chechnya.

These targeted killings of brave and selfless individuals are not simply a criminal matter but a blow against human values and the very fabric of civic society in Russia.

Only a thorough and transparent investigation that ends in the prosecution of the perpetrators can stop this campaign of assassinating independent activists.

I urge you to ensure that the Russian Federation spares no effort in bringing the guilty parties justice in the most expeditious manner.

I pray that this can be done before we have cause to mourn another loss.

Yours sincerely,

Lord Judd
Lord Rea