LETTER:The West and Chechnya
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Aivars Sinka
Sir: Your editorial "Chechnya is not the West's cause" (18 January) is wide of the mark. The Chechens are not a "clique", they are a nation with a common territory, history, language and religion, who are as fully deserving as the English of their own state. Moreover, they are a nation who have suffered most horribly at the hands of the Russians. The Communists wiped out half their number and encouraged them to flee their land by throwing Chechen women and children, alive, on to a burning pyre. The word "federation" implies a conscious decision to join or remain part of a common state; the Chechens have never chosen to be part of the Russian "federation".
The continued existence of the West depends upon general acceptance and affirmation of certain universal truths, among them democracy, liberty of the individual and self-determination. Stating that Chechen independence is against the interests of the West helps to undermine those universal truths.
Yours faithfully,
Aivars Sinka
New Malden,
Surrey
18 January
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments