Hand back the president’s body
To date the Russian authorities have refused to return the body of Maskhadov to his family for burial, instead flouting civilised norms by showing his corpse on national TV.
Russia has justified this shameful behaviour by alleging that Maskhadov was a ‘terrorist’ and therefore does not qualify for this right.
Maskhadov was well known for unequivocal condemnation of terrorism from any quarter and widely acknowledged as the most vocal proponent for a negotiated end to the conflict.
It is, in fact, Russia which has been repeatedly condemned by all leading human rights organisations for its genocidal conduct in Chechnya. Only a fortnight ago Human Rights Watch denounced the situation in Chechnya as a “crime against humanity.”
Maskhadov’s wife and two children are appealing to western governments to put pressure on Russian president Vladimir Putin to return the body for burial in accordance with Chechen religious and cultural rites and practices.
We, the undersigned, demand that Russia respect the wishes of the family and return the body of Maskhadov to them for burial.
We also call on the Irish Government to use all its influence to insist that the Russian government return the body of Maskhadov to his family and bring an immediate end to the conflict.
Fahad Ansari
President, Federation of Student
Islamic Societies in Ireland
Richard Boyd Barrett
Chairperson
Irish Anti-War Movement
Mustafa Aliev
Save Chechnya Campaign
Michael D Higgins TD
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD
Finian McGrath TD
Tony Gregory TD
Vincent Browne
Broadcaster and journalist
Rory Hearne
Deputy President, USI
Ali Yassin
The Friday Times.
