From November 19-24, a large group of human rights defenders from around the world will gather in Stockholm to discuss concrete measures intended to strengthen the rule of law and improve the human rights situation in the North Caucasus.

The Civil Rights Defenders organized this important meeting after their first conference last year, which was also related to the North Caucasus. Despite Russia’s declaration in April 2009 that the nearly decade-long so-called “counter terrorism operation” against the population of Chechnya was over, the situation in the North Caucasus is still far from stable. After a decrease in forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in 2007 and 2008, the violence in the region has been on the rise again. Also, there are many problems with the security of journalists and human rights defenders. All of this makes it necessary to discuss the security problems of rights defenders. To this point, the rights defenders will present their reports.

Magomed Mutsolgov, head of the Ingush human rights organization MASHR, is among the participants. He will speak about the current situation in Ingushetia and the threats from security forces in the region.

We remind you that Magomed Mutsolgov has continued his work in human rights issues since 2003.

*Text was written by Magomed Barakhoev for Waynakh Online and edited by Michael Capobianco