Minister for Foreign Affairs Condemns Murder of Human Rights Activist, Natalia Estemirova
An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha Preas Ráiteas
Department of Foreign Affairs Press Release
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Condemns Murder of Human Rights Activist, Natalia Estemirova
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, T.D., has condemned the murder yesterday of Natalia Estemirova in the Northern Caucasus.
"I was shocked and saddened to hear of the murder of Natalia Estemirova, a woman who worked tirelessly to bring to light human rights abuses, helping those who could not help themselves. The value of her work was widely recognised and in 2007 she was awarded the inaugural Anna Politkovskaya Prize. Her death is an outrage. I want to express my deep condolences to her family and friends for their terrible loss.
I fully support the EU Presidency statement issued last night on the murder. Every effort must be made to investigate, in a transparent and clear manner, this terrible crime and to ensure protection for other human rights defenders in the country. In this regard, I welcome President Medvedev’s decision to establish a special investigation to enquire into her murder and reiterate the need for those who are responsible to be brought to justice."
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16 July 2009
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