We welcome the Russian Investigative Committee’s decision to create a specialized department to investigate into crimes committed by law enforcers. We are satisfied with the fact that our proposal submitted to Investigative Committee Head A.I. Bastrykin less than a month ago has not only been considered, but is also being implemented within such a short term.

We would like to thank all individuals who have supported us and joined our address in the Internet.

We are glad to note that announcements made by the Investigative Committee suggest that it has taken into account many of our concrete proposals regarding the department’s structure and operation.  In particular, the need to ensure investigator’s independence from regional heads, independence of operative support which should not involve agents charged with or accused of crimes, the need for the specialized department to analyze the current investigative practice with respect to police abuse, as well as work out the most efficient investigative methods and crime prevention measures.  

We urge the Investigative Committee to staff the new department with experienced investigators and provide it other resources required for complete, comprehensive and objective investigation of all cases falling into the relevant category in accordance with the Russian Constitution and international standards.

We are sure that cooperation of the Investigative Committee and the specialized department with civil society organizations will contribute to ensuring thorough, comprehensive and objective investigation of law enforcers’ crimes. We confirm our commitment to cooperate with the Investigative Committee and specialized department for the purpose of effective investigation of crimes at issue.

We will continue exercising public control over investigations pertaining to the relevant category and use all available legal mechanism to make such investigations effective. Besides, we will go on informing the society about the results of our work.

L. Alexeyeva, Moscow Helsinki Group Chairwoman

O. Orlov, Memorial Human Rights Centre Board Chairman  

N. Taubina, Public Verdict Foundation Director

I. Kalyapin, Committee Against Torture Chairman

P. Chikov

S. Gannushkina, Civil Assistance Committee Chairman

N. Zboroshenko, co-coordinator of programmes for public control over law enforcement agencies of the Youth Human Rights Movement

A. Nazarov, Chairman of the Krasnoyarsk Kray Public Committee for Human Rights

B. Pustyntsev, ChairmanofhumanrightsNGO “CivilControl”