The Joint Mobile Group is known for its courageous work in opening legal cases on behalf of victims of torture in Chechnya. On March 9th, they were travelling together with journalists and the group was physically attacked, their confidential notes stolen, and the vehicles they were in burned.
Their offices in Ingushetia were also attacked.
This is part of an ongoing pattern of threats and intimidation directed against the Joint Mobile Group.
As recently as December their offices in Chechnya were completely burned.
The Martin Ennals Award provides protection through publicity for Human Rights Defenders who are working at personal risk to protect the rights of others.
“Sadly it appears that the need for protection in this case remains as urgent as ever. We urges the responsible authorities to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the ICJ says.
The Award laureate is selected by a jury of 10 global human rights organizations, including the ICJ.
The other members are Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights, World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), Front Line Defenders, EWDE Germany, International Service for Human Rights and HURIDOCS.
For further information, you can also read articles on the BBC, The Guardian, Russia Today, and the report on the MEA 2013.
Picture: Igor Kalyapin, founder of the Joint Mobile Group.