Steven Kay QC to address The European Parliament Human Rights Committee for the Voice of Beslan

Monday 19 September 2011 at 15.00 in the European Parliament, Human Rights Sub Committee.
The Committee will be examining human rights in Russia and the North Caucasus.
Speakers: Ms Anna Udjarova, NGO “Memorial”, 2009 Sakharov Prize Winners
Mr Alexander Verkhovsky, Director of the SOVA Center
Video message by Ella Kesaeva, co-Chair of 'Voice of Beslan', organisation representing some of the families of the victims of the 2004 Beslan school siege
Mr Steven Kay QC, lawyer for Voice of Beslan in front of the European Court for Human Rights

In modern Russia many social groups experience problems with the enjoyment of their rights. Among the most vulnerable are minorities and those who lack a legal and formal status (citizenship, residency), who often live in extremely challenging social and economic conditions. These are mostly migrant workers, stateless migrants, undocumented citizens and those who have arrived from different Russian regions and are subjected to ethnic discrimination. Xenophobic attacks are constantly increasing, notably by nationalist groups, often targeting North Caucasus citizens. Human rights abuses are also allegedly committed by Russian and Russian-backed security forces, often in the name of anti-extremism. To highlight the culture of impunity surrounding such actions, and the often inadequate response of authorities, and to report on progress since the DROI Delegation visit in September 2010, representatives of the victims of the Beslan school siege will be heard by means of a video message from the organisation 'Voice of Beslan'. Steven Kay QC the lawyer representing Voice of Beslan in front of the European Court of Human Rights, where they have filed a lawsuit concerning the government's investigation of the attack, will update members on the court case.