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'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More
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RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service

 

In late 2002, RFE/RL welcomed the opportunity to begin broadcasting to the North Caucasus region in the native languages and promote democratic values through factual, balanced, and objective information. RFE/RL's North Caucasus Service attempts to provide independent reporting in an area that is one of the world's most dangerous for journalists.

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Features & Multimedia

Moscow Snubs European Rights Court On Chechnya

Human Rights Watch has accused Russia of repeatedly ignoring decisions by the European Court of Human Rights on Chechnya. The U.S.-based rights group said in a report released this week that Russia's failure to investigate and punish abuses under the court's rulings is fueling "unchecked violence" in the North Caucasus. More

The Question Russians Are Afraid To Ask Photogallery

Ten years ago, a series of bombings across Russia killed more than 300 people. The authorities blamed Chechen rebels. But Kremlin critics say the security services staged the blasts as part of a plan to bring Vladimir Putin to power. A decade later, some of those critics are dead and the bombings remain unsolved. More
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Subscribe to a weekly update of news, features, and analysis on Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia's North Caucasus.

Facts & Stats

Map of North Caucasus

CHECHNYA

Population
1,103,686 (2002 estimate)

Ethnic Groups:
Chechen 93.5%
Russian 3.7%
Kumyk 0.8%
Ingush and others 2%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Chechen, Russian, others

DAGHESTAN

Population
2,576,531 (2002)

Ethnic Groups:
Northeast Caucasians 75%
(Avar, Dargin, Lezgin, and others)
Turkic and others 20%
(Kumyk, Nogai, Azeri, and others)
Russian 5%

Religions:
Muslin 90.4%
Eastern Orthodox and other 9.6%

Languages:
Russian, over 30 others

INGUSHETIA

Population
467,294 (2002)

Ethnic Groups:
Ingush 77.3%
Chechen 20.4%
Russian 1.2%
other 1.1%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Langagues:
Ingush, Russian

KABARDINO-BALKARIA

Population
901,494 (2002)

Ethnic Groups:
Kabardin 55.3%
Russian 25.1%
Balkar 11.6%
other 76%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Kabardin, Balkar, Russian

KARACHAYEVO-CHERKESSIA

Population
439,470 (2002)

Ethnic Groups:
Karachai 38.5%
Russian 33.6%
Cherkess 11.3%
Abazin 7.4%
Nogai 3.4%
other 5.8%

Religions:
Sunni Muslim, Eastern Orthodox

Languages:
Karachai, Cherkess, Russian, others

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