Since 2002 Handicap International has worked in collaboration with “Save the Generation” on several occasions to support people with disabilities and injuries resulting from the two successive conflits in the country which over a ten-year period have left 3,800 people crippled for life, including around one thousand children. In the time they worked together, Handicap International was impressed by the quality of the work carried out by Zarema, notably with Chechen children and the victims of mines throughout the republic. Our association would like to take the opportunity to salute the depth of her commitment to the vital social and humanitarian work she carried out at the head of her organisation.

Despite the official line that the situation in Chechnya is “returning to normal”, this despicable act shows the true extent to which human rights in the country have been undermined. It follows a series of crimes of a similar nature targeting journalists and members of local NGOs which to date remain unsolved, such as the murder of Natalia Estmirova on 15th July this year. The feelings of fear, insecurity and impunity aroused by these murders make it extremely difficult for local organisations to continue their work. The war may officially be over in Chechnya and international stakeholders withdrawing from the country, but the wounds remain and much is left to do before they heal. The role of local NGOs in this republic – one of the poorest in Russia – is crucial.

Handicap International joins the many others calling for the deaths of Zarema Sadoulaeva and Alik Dzhabrailov to be fully and rigourously investigated. This crime must not go unpunished.

ICBL Press release