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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

Date:	13 May 2004
Case Number:	dg0305_erk
Victim:	Arjan Erkel
Country:	Russia
Subject:	Dutch Humanitarian Worker Freed
Issues:	Freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Protection of medical and religious personnel
Type of alert:	Update
Related alerts:	13 March 2003; 8 December 2003

FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 10 April 2004, Arjan Erkel, the Head of Mission for the French medical aid association Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), was freed after 20 months of being held hostage in Dagestan. Erkel was abducted on 12 August 2002 by three gunmen in Makhachkala, the capital of the Russian Republic of Dagestan. Erkel was in the region providing medical assistance and humanitarian aid to displaced people from the neighboring region of Chechnya.

The details surrounding Erkel's release remain secretive. Russian authorities were apparently involved in negotiations with the hostage takers, but their exact role is not clear. Citing future security concerns, the authorities were reluctant to give details about the negotiations.

Arjan Erkel is relatively good health and spirits, but lost a lot of weight. He is recovering with his family in Holland.

MSF stated that they are "extremely grateful to everyone who has shown solidarity with Arjan, from the hundreds of thousands of people in Russia, Dagestan and around the world who signed our petition, to the many representatives of national and international organizations and government officials who have shown their support."

(Sources of information for this case include: Médecins Sans Frontières and the Associated Press.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

No action is requested at this time. Many thanks to all who sent appeal letters and signed the online MSF petition.

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6797; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals are to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

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