 A leading human rights group in Russia has reported a big drop in the number of people killed or disappeared in Chechnya last year. In its annual report, Memorial (Pamyat) recorded 192 deaths - a 38% decrease compared with the previous 12 months. But it says a climate of fear still exists and that Chechens may be too scared to report missing relatives. Memorial points the finger of suspicion towards Chechen Prime Minister Ramzan Kadyrov and his local security forces. Although it only monitors some 30% of Chechen territory, Memorial has recorded far fewer murders and disappearances compared with recent years. |