YOUR ADDRESS



Procurator for Vladimir Region
Aleksandr Vladimirovich Shaikov
Oktyabrskii Prospekt 9
600025 g. Vladimir
Russian Federation
Fax:  +7 0922 327 905 / +7 0922 234 688 
(If someone answers, say “Fax please”)


Date


Dear Procurator,


Kelvin Benson Sinkala


I am writing to you as a member of Amnesty International to express my
concern at reading of the vicious racist attack on Kelvin Benson Sinkala
by a gang in April 2003 in Vladimir City. The horrific stabbing to his
back, chest and stomach has left him, after months, with dizzy spells
and a fear of travelling alone, even in the daytime.

While I welcome the fact that an investigation is being conducted into
the attack on Kelvin Benson Sinkala, I would urge you to use your good
offices to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a prompt,
thorough and impartial manner. It should take account the
racially-motivated nature of the attack and make reference to this in
the charges. We would ask that Kelvin Benson Sinkala be kept informed of
the progress of the investigation and any subsequent action.

I am aware that the three people who were arrested in connection with
the attack were subsequently released by the Leninsky district police
department on the grounds that they were not implicated in the attack.
However, Amnesty International has received reports indicating that a
witness to the attack recognised one of these people as having been
involved. The authorities should ensure that anyone reasonably suspected
as being responsible for the attack is brought to justice in the course
of a fair trial in line with international standards.

The case highlights the important issue of racial violence. I urge the
Russian authorities to further recognise how important an issue it is
and  “to strengthen its efforts to prevent racist violence and to
protect members of ethnic minorities and foreigners…” as recommended by
the (UN) Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial
Discrimination (CERD) in March 2003.


Yours sincerely,



ANOTHER LETTER, AS YOU WISH, TO:

Head of Department of Internal Affairs for Vladimir Region
General Major Aleksandr Ivanovich Bolshakov
Ul. B Moskovskaya 45
600000 g. Vladimir
Russian Federation
Fax: +7 0922 294 494 / +7 0922 235 936
Salutation: Dear Chief of Police

COPIES TO:

Mayor of Vladimir
Alexander Petrovich Rybakov
Ul. Gorkogo 36
600017 g. Vladimir
Russian Federation
Fax:  +7 092 223 8554
Salutation: Dear Mayor

Procurator General of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Ustinov
ul. Bolshaya Dimitrovka, 15a
103793 Moscow
Russian Federation
Fax:   +7 095 292 88 48
Salutation:  Dear Procurator General