On January 12, U.S. based Freedom House released its findings with “Freedom in the World 2010”, the annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. During the press conference Russian puppet Kadirov’s bloody regime in Chechnya was critized also.

At the press conference Freedom House directors pointed out allegations of pro-Russian Chechen authorities on Memorial and critized them. Accoring to “Freedom House”, on January 11, so-called ombudsman of puppet Kadirov’s Chechnya, Nurdi Nukhazhiyev, made a series of highly accusatory statements, alleging that Memorial was using facts about human rights violations to “destabilize” the situation in Chechnya and that the organization benefits from reporting a higher number of cases in Chechnya.

“Freedom House is extremely alarmed and dismayed by the incendiary statements made by Mr. Nukhazhiyev,” said Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House executive director. “Such unfounded and incriminating statements against a prominent human rights organization such as Memorial only demonstrate further that critics of Ramzan Kadirov’s brutal regime appear to be fair game for intimidation, harassment, and persecution by pro-Russian authorities and reflect the culture of impunity and fear that exist in Chechnya today.”

Freedom House calls upon Russia to condemn the statements made by Nurdi Nukhazhiyev, and to ensure a safe and stable working environment for Memorial and other human rights NGOs in Chechnya.

*Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.

Note. “Freedom in the World 2010” reflects developments that took place in the calendar year 2009. The full survey, including the individual country reports, will be available in late spring 2010.