![]() Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch: “The violent attack on a defense lawyer right outside the courthouse strongly indicates that the assailants were confident they would get away with it. This is a terrible crime against a courageous defense lawyer, and a chilling signal to lawyers like him in Dagestan. When defense lawyers are the targets of retribution and violence, this severely weakens the rule of law and sends a message to defendants that they can’t get a fair trial. Russian authorities should ensure that everyone has equal protection under the law, and a good place to start is to make sure Magomedov’s assailants are brought to justice.” Sources: Human Rights Watch: Defense Lawyer Brutally Beaten, Human Rights Watch, 5 February 2015 Memorial Human Rights Centre, В Дагестане избит сотрудник «Мемориала», адвокат Мурад Магомедов, 4 February 2015 Front Line Defenders, Physical assault against human rights lawyer Murad Magomedov, 4 February 2015 Photo: Memorial Human Rights Centre Each week Rights in Russia highlights the activities of a human rights defender, civil rights activist, victim of alleged human rights abuses, or alleged perpetrator of such abuses |
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