Françoise Petre: Estemirova's murder stirs up Russian emigration

The murder of human rights defender Natalia Estemirova has pushed Russian emigrants to dynamic actions. They held a rally in Estemirova's memory on July 17 in Paris. Françoise Petre, employee of the Bureau for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that earlier they were rare guests at this sort of actions.

Let us remind you that the rally in memory of Natalia Estemirova in central Paris was attended by members of human rights organizations, workers of arts, politicians and journalists. Officials from Paris Mayoralty and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France were among the speakers. Also, dissidents Victor Feinberg and Natalia Gorbanevskaya, and representatives of the Human Rights Centre (HRC) "Memorial" were present.

According to Françoise Petre, the action was covered by several French editions, namely, the International French Radio and newspapers Le Figaro and Lib?ration.

The publication in Le Figaro notes that there were many Chechens among the audience; it also remarks that the demonstrators called French diplomats to be tough in negotiations with Russia on the issue of observance of human rights.

According to Ms Petre, she was afraid that Chechen refugees would not be able to visit the action. "Rumours circulate among them that Kadyrov's special services are shadowing the Chechens who live in Paris and photograph them. For the last two months, the Chechen community sees this sort of paranoia. But still, some of them came to the rally," said Fran?oise Petre.