Chechnya: UN appeals for the release of Arjan Erkel
Moscow, 12 August 2003. -- A year
has passed since the abduction in Dagestan on 12 August 2002 of Arjan Erkel,
Head of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) mission in the republic. On
this sad occasion, the United Nations would like to reiterate its appeal
for his safe and immediate release. The United Nations also wishes to once
again express solidarity with Mr Erkel's family and MSF, the non-government
organisation for which Mr Erkel worked and which has been efficiently and
closely working with the UN to provide assistance to people in need in
the North Caucasus.
The United Nations is deeply concerned
about the fate of Mr Arjan Erkel, which to date remains unknown. In the
past few months, the United Nations has welcomed the news from investigators
that Mr Erkel is alive, as well as President Putin's public assurances
that the Russian law enforcement bodies will continue searching for Arjan
Erkel. From 11-12 August, a delegation, including representatives of the
United Nations and donor countries, is visiting the North Caucasus and
will raise the issue of Arjan Erkel's fate in meetings with the local authorities
there.
The UN condemns Mr Erkel's abduction and wishes to underscore once again that such actions undermine the effective provision of humanitarian assistance to the thousands of civilians in need in the North Caucasus. It also reiterates its solidarity with the hundreds of civilians abducted in the North Caucasus in recent years and calls on those responsible to ensure their safe return.
For further information, please contact the United Nations' public information officer on this issue, Ms Victoria Zotikova, on (095) 956-6405.