The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO supports the defenders
of the Khimki forest and calls to stop unlawful reprisals
against them.
The intimidation action against the defenders of the Khimki
forest held by unidentified hooligans at police negligence
and the following unlawful dispelling of environmental activists
by OMON (the riot police), make one to speak about coordinated
actions by corrupt authorities, irresponsible business and
criminal groups.
If this extremely dangerous precedent of using thugs against
civil activists will not receive proper evaluation by the
society and the state, this will open a way to qualitative
increase in violence in politics and public life.
We believe that the situation deserves close attention of
the authorities at the highest level up to the President of
Russia.
The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO calls the human
rights community and democratic politicians to defend the
constitutional rights of the Khimki activists and render them
all possible assistance. This is the case, when Russia’s civil
society has virtually shown itself and dared to resist the
big money and the state machinery. Its support in this confrontation
is far more important than hundreds of rallies in defense
of democracy in general.
We also fully support the requirements of the defenders of
the Khimki Forest. Destruction of a unique natural complex
providing fresh air to the capital of Russia will bring to
nothing all the talks about modernization and demonstrate
to Russian citizens and the entire world the inability of
the Russian state to modernise.
We demand that the Public Prosecutor General should open
criminal cases against police officers on the fact of their
negligence towards recruited hooligans, as well as of unlawful
detention and beating of the defenders of the Khimki Forest.
Sergei Mitrokhin,
Chair of the YABLOKO party
See also:
Protection
of Environment
Human
Rights
Destruction of nature
has been accelerating. Statement by the YABLOKO party on the
threashold of the World Environment Day. June 4, 2010
In protection
of the Khimki Forest and its defenders. Statement by the YABLOKO
party. July 17, 2010.
Ecologists
block the driver who attacked the leader of the Movement in
Protection of the Khimki Forest. Press Release. July 19, 2010
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