Office of Chechen human rights representative may reopen

There is a possibility that the office of Abdul-Khakim Sultygov, special envoy for human rights in Chechnya, which was officially terminated by President Putin a month ago, continue its activity in the republic later this year. The prior agreement about it was reached on February 11, at the meeting between former staff members and Chechen government officials.

The staff described their former activities to Vice Prime Minister of the Chechen Government Bilkis Baydaeva, head of Akhmad Kadyrov's administration Ziya Sabsabi, and Chechen Minister for Nationalities Taus Jabrailov.

They also suggested creating a new commission made up of employees of the dissolved office, which would become part of the administration of Akhmad Kadyrov.

Mr Jabrailov said the creation of this commission was possible, but it would not happen any earlier than the autumn of this year. Chechen parliamentary elections will admittedly be held in October, and the structure of the new parliament will provide for a commissioner for human rights, he explained.

"Sultygov's office" was closed on January 21 by President Putin's decree, which stated that a special human rights representative in Chechnya was no longer needed.