Today, we pay tribute to the memory of Natalia Estemirova, prominent human rights defender in Chechnya for Memorial Human Rights Centre and independent journalist, who was found murdered in Ingushetia on 15 July 2009. With her courageous work, she continues to be an inspiration to human rights defenders and journalists.

Attacks on journalists and human rights defenders like Ms Estemirova and other victims of unresolved cases, including Anna Politkovskaya, pose a particular threat to democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Such crimes must be thoroughly investigated so that perpetrators, organisers and accomplices are brought to justice. We expect the Russian authorities to guarantee that all the necessary measures are in place to ensure effective protection of human rights defenders and journalists, in accordance with their international commitments.