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Untitled Document
The Appeal on Behalf of the Mari people, which openly condemns
the Russian Federation authorities for their continued persecution of the Mari
people and violation of their rights, has been gaining momentum in the international
community and has won the support of 10.000 signatories. The Mari people, who
mainly inhabit an autonomous republic of the Russian Federation, face constant
discrimination, violence and abuse of their rights and freedoms. The Appeal
particularly addresses the abuses unleashed upon the democratic opposition in
the republic of Mari El, who have often been the victims of beatings, attacks
and killings.
Fraudulent elections; oppression and suppression of the Mari
language instruction in schools and use in the public and media; and campaigns
of intimidation, such as harassments, beatings and killings of public and private
officials and media personnel are other abuses faced by the Mari people.
The Appeal hopes to draw the attention of the international
community and most importantly, the attention of the Russian Federation authorities,
to end the discrimination and abuse of the Mari people and restore justice,
order and peace to the republic of Mari El. The appeal has been supported by
a number of well-known and important figures, such as Toomas Hendrik Ilves,
Vice-President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament;
Professor Paul Goble, USA; Mart Laar, MP, former Prime Minister of Estonia;
Dr. Lennart Meri, former President of Estonia; and Pertti Paasio, former Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
UNPO supports the Appeal on Behalf of the Mari People and invites
everyone to show their solidarity and support by signing the appeal, which can
be accessed at: http://ugri.info/mari/.
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