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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

International PEN Marks Day Of The Imprisoned Writer

International PEN -- the worldwide association of writers -- marks the Day of the Imprisoned Writer this time each year. Its aim is to recognize and support writers who resist repression of their basic human right to freedom of expression. While International PEN campaigns on behalf of hundreds of authors all year round, this November 15 the group is highlighting the cases of five authors in five countries, representing five geographical regions. The countries are Cameroon, Iran, China, Russia, and Mexico. RFE/RL correspondent Bruce Pannier spoke to Sara Wyatt, director of the writers in prison committee at International PEN, about the campaign. More

Before The Autumn Revolutions, The Moscow Spring

Before the autumn revolutions in Eastern Europe, there was the Moscow Spring in the Soviet Union. In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev's reform policies hit their high-water mark, as the USSR held its first competitive elections, press freedom flourished, and civil society awakened. More

Reactions (And Overreactions) To Virus's Spread

As the swine-flu virus continues to spread through the Balkans and the former Soviet Union, the measures taken by some governments range from bizarre and befuddled to seemingly political. More

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
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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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