Moscow, January 2, 1995

The war, unleashed on the Northern Caucasus, is conducted not against general Dudaev, and not against separatism - either Chechenian or other one. This is the war against Russian democracy and freedom, against you and us. Its inevitable result already now is attack against human rights, against freedom of speech, establishing of a regime, relying not on the force of law, but on the law of force.

There is no sense to beg the authorities anymore. Authorities, unleashed the bloodshed in Chechnya, accompanying every own step by unbridled and evident lies, put themselves behind democracy and law. We appeal now to you, to your civic responsibility and civic courage. The slaughter, committed in Grozny, is organized on the name of Russian people, on the your and our name. Everybody's duty - to realize his own attitude toward the events in Chechnya and to express this attitude.

Just now civilians are still killed.

Just now hundreds of soldiers continue to die disgracefully, being obliged to fulfil senseless and criminal orders.

Everybody among us is responsible for what happens.

Executive Committee of "Memorial" Society

On January 3, since 2 till 3 PM Moscow Memorial will keep a mourning watch near Solovetsky Stone on Lubjanka Square. We dedicate this hour to remembrance of all perished since the beginning of bloodshed in Chechnya - both civilians and military men.

The same watches Memorial intends to organize in Saint Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Jaroslavl and some other Russian cities.