ISLAMIC HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
PO BOX 598, WEMBLEY, UK, HA9 7XH
Telephone (+44) 208 902 0888
Fax (+44) 208 902 0889
e-mail: ihrc@dial.pipex.com
web: http://www.ihrc.org
URGENT ALERT
UK Conservative Party Backs Russian Genocide in Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation
Action: Protest letters to leader of Conservative Party, William Hague MP
Date: 6th January 2000
Background
On Monday 3rd January 2000, John Maples MP, speaking as the Shadow Foreign Secretary on Sky News, stated that Britain should not criticise Russia for their actions in the Republic of Chechnya of the Russian Federation. He added that, “The Russians are decided and set upon the policy they are pursuing, the sooner they are successful, the better.”
Suggested Action
Please write to the Leader of the Conservative Party, William Hague MP (Specimen letter below). Please forward any responses you receive. Please check with IHRC if you want to send a letter out after 10th January. Further suggested action to follow.
Specimen Letter
William Hague MP, Leader of the Opposition, House of Commons, London, UK, SW1A 0AA
leader@conservative-party.org.uk, Fax: +44-20-7222-1135
Date:
Dear Mr. Hague,
Re: John Maples statement on the war in Chechnya
I am deeply disturbed by the comments made on January 3, by John Maples MP.
Russian atrocities in this and the previous Chechen war are indisputable, and some of the most heinous we have seen since the Second World War. To encourage the total annihilation and destruction of a country and its people is unthinkable, yet John Maples statements indicate that this is precisely what the Conservative Party believes in.
I strongly urge you to disassociate the Party from these statements and take appropriate action against a member of your party who seems to be advocating no less than genocide.
I look forward to your response in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
YOUR SIGNATURE
YOUR NAME
[END]
