Write a few words to honour courageous Natalia, shot dead in the North Caucasus

As a Red Cross Volunteer and peacemaker my heart goes out to her family, friends and co-workers. My prayers are with you today!!

Hello,

I came in contact with Natalia a few years ago when I contacted Memorial. In the period I was still living in Italy, I was campaigning against Human Rights violations in Chechnya with a local group of Amnesty International and I was in contact with Anna Polytkovskaya as well.

I send you my profound condolences, I was flattered, yesterday, when I've heard the news. I'm very very sorry. I will never forget these people. "You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire"…

Gualtiero Badin, Liverpool (UK)

it's incredible that there are people this courageous in the world and who are prepared to sacrifice so much while most of us sit in comfort. personally i could never be as brave as this woman, but i am very grateful that people with her courage exist. Natalia Estemirova, i hope your death will not go in vain and that we will begin to see an improvement in human rights in russia before long xx

I was shock by the terrible news of her death since I did in the past follow some of her work.

It is a paramount lost for the humanity, such person with an amazing commitment to meet human right

My condolences to her family. Such a brave woman. Such a waste to have her gone. May she rest in peace.

an angel has returned to heaven, may we learn from her example and may she rest in peace

love to her family and friends

We need more people like Natalia to make this world a better place by exposing human rights violations and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The world is a poorer place without this courageous woman and her sacrifice must not be forgotten.

I give thanks that there are people like Natalia in this world, that they should die for what is right is a great sadness. I am i awe of all like her, brave in their conviction and determination to see a better world for all. My sincerest condolences to all who knew her.

It is easy for us to donate to amnesty and to send letters and emails from distant countries. It was truly courageous for Natalia to stand up for other people's rights when by doing so she risked her own life and liberty. My deepest condolences to her friends and family.

Natalia's struggle will not be in vain. Her struggle for freedom was a brave contribution to the liberation of us all. Humanity's victory will come about because of her work and that of her friend and fellow martyr, Anna Politkovskaya.

I will not forget you, I will not forget your work, I will not forget your courage. I will speak of you to my friends, to my family, and maybe one day to my children, with the hope that they will follow your steps, that they will cry your tears, and also tell your story to their own children, all of this made with love, solely through love.

I am absolutely shocked and dumbfounded by this terrible terrible news. Although I cannot say that I am suprised at the fact that this tragedy happened to Russian human rights activist given country's track record, it is still suprising that the country doesn't seem to be too eager to do something constructive to stop these terrible murders and this is what is so depressing and disappointing… They must think that that is a very effective way of resitsting the truth and stop such prominent and legendary people like Natalia Estemirova, Anna Polytkovskaya, Stanislav Markelov from uncovering and telling the truth… But how delluded must these people be if they think that they can wipe out every single person and prevent people like Natalia from standing up for humanity and all the good things in this world! Natalia sacrificed her life in the name of humanity and for that I respect her and her work from the bottom of my heart. She is an inspiration and a great loss. RIP, Natalia Estemirova. My thoughts are with her family.

Courage, committment, and values led her work. As many amazing women around the globe, her name will always be remembered by all human rights activists around the world.

My thoughts are with Natalia and her family.

I heard on the radio yesterday about Natalia Estemirova, the work she did and the horrific way in which her life has been stolen by cowards. Her bravery and determination to do the work she did is astonishing.

It got me thinking. Because sometime I'm not as good at writing emails for A.I. as I would like to be. I get an email asking for urgent action and often I will find myself dithering about whether I've time to write that day or not … But you know what? From now on, I'm going to write more often. It is the very smallest way that I can honor the memory of Natalia Estemirova. And it might just stop a few more amazing people like her being lost to the world in the process.

My deepest sympathies go to her family and friends at this time.

dear natalia
you have lost your life
it is very dolorous for us
but you have ever lost your-our cause
yours‎

my thoughts are with natalia's family and friends and for all who are fighting against violence and for human rights

Such courage is breaktaking. It is women like Natalia who will make the world a better place.

My condolences to her family for their terrible loss.

I am shocked to hear of the murder of this courageous women. She will not be forgotten.

RIP

My condolences to Natalia's family and friends. What a brave and inspirational woman.

I remember hearing of Natalia's death in the news and feeling powerless to do anything to deal with the people who murdered her. I hope this blog goes a little way to empowering future courageous women like her who are prepared to stand up and be counted even at the risk of their own lives.

A personal tragedy for Natalia Estermirova's family and friends.

A tragedy for all Russians, who have lost a invaluable campaigner for human rights.

(( The name of God the most Merciful ))

In the name of Iraqi communities in Syria Arab Republic , Extend to you our warmest condolenves anniversary of the death of ( Human – Friendly ) Ms . Natalia Estenirova .. We ask God that accepted her martyr in Paradise .

Today , we light candles in her memory ..

I did now know Natalia, nor did I know of her work. But I do know and cherish the ideas and principles that founded her work. That all men are born equal and that freedom of the individual is an unquestionable right. I understand that Natalia was totally comitted to these principles and that this was why she was murdered. I reach out to her family with my heart and my prayers. God must have loved her very much, taking her home so hastily.

Blessed be her soul and may she convey our prayers to him who giveth and taketh life.

In deepest reverence and compassion, I bow to her memory and to her family.

Sea of Green devotee

I am deeply saddened by this tragedy, but alas, I am not surprised. Natialia's courageous work is appreciated and honored by free-minded people everywhere. Chechnya will not be forgotten. Down with the Russian Empire.

Martin Luther King wrote " The question isn't "What will happen to me if I help them?" but well " What will hapen to them if I let them alone ".

That's probably what she thought, and the way she decided to act.

Her courage is her honor, in a particulary dangerous background to human rights defenders.

Best regards to her familly, her friends and her relatives.

Yannick

It is so sad that yet another brave human rights activist has fallen victim to murder.

Deepest sympathy.

it is so sad to have lost such a dedicated activist of human rights especially at this time when we need them.my heart goes to the family,friends and to those who worked closely with her.her efforts during her lifetime wont go in vain and i do encourage those who worked with her to be strong so that her ideals and goals to come true.she has inspired many all over the world.

Natalia Estemirova must have been an extremely brave and courageous woman. I am inspired by her courage and dedication and her work will not have been in vain.

I have the upmost admiration for Natalia Estemirova and organisations such as Memorial, who continue with their brilliant work in standing up for human rights in spite of the ever-present dangers.

I am deeply saddened by Natalia's murder and my thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends and colleagues.

The courage and humanity of people like Natalia is an example to us all. We should all be grateful to this great woman who has made the ultimate sacrifice to hep others. My deepest sympathy to her family.

My thoughts are with Natalia Estemirova's family. It takes great courage to support someone who risks her life through her work.

May we remember this courage when confronted with smaller injustices, especially if we live in countries where our freedom is not obviously at risk.

She was a true inspiration, a portrait of bravery and courage

A terrible loss to her family & her extended family, those whose rights she defended, yet an inspiration to others around the world. May her killers be brought to justice; the struggle continues.

This lady had real courage. It is safe in this country (UK) to write Amnesty letters and to campaign for human rights. How brave people must need to be in countries where it is not safe – and yet, like Natalia, they still do it. I thank God for people like Natalia.

Natalia, I didn't know you, but your death saddens me so much. I hope that your courage will inspire more people to stand up for human rights. My sympathies to your family. May they know that you will be remembered around the world as a beacon of hope.

After this Tragic murder of Natalia Estemirova I wish to offer my condolences. I'm sure Natalia Estemirova was a wonderful person of courage, integrity and kindness. She raised her voice, specking out against the horrors within her part of the world and everywhere. In the knowledge that when people remain silent evil may flourish.

THIS IS DIGNITY

I won’t cry for Natalia. She was too brave.
I will mourn and regret. She was courageous.

So rather I will celebrate her life, her work,
Feel glad that even in the darkest night, a candle
Always ends up getting lit, and just enough
For somebody to see what’s going on,
And take up pen and paper, and record it.

“Everything that happens is recorded in the mind
Of God.” Simon Wiesenthal said that. So wise.
But law, democracy, and justice can not rely
On just the mind of God.

Natalia called on all of you – the leaders,
Politicians, self-important public servants,
To hold yourselves responsible, to do the proper thing,
And value life, a single person’s life, if it be
Friend or foe, and to respect it, give it rights,
Allow it dignity.

They are the ones who failed, the ones who saw
The democratic death, and sit there still,
Unmoveable, dehumanised.

So I will celebrate Natalia as a symbol, a life
Lived out in stress and danger, and always watched,
Accounted for, a target.

Here they tell us we are free to be ourselves,
“Because you’re worth it!” – But I look
Over my shoulder, see a camera, a form to fill,
And wonder if we too will face that prisoner fate.

If those who write the truth are faced with death,
If those who speak against injustice, and all those
Who want a better world and shout that out,
If all those people become targets, not our nation’s models :
Democracy has died and all we cherish
Will just seep and slip away unchallenged.

I stand up for Natalia.
I shout her name, rejoice
That she was strong enough
To write, record, be named.

We all need to be Natalia.

Janice Davis, Bromley and Orpington |Group

I've never met Natalia. I've only seen her speaking on a YouTube video. Her courage and commitment to justice in the face of constant threats from the government is awe-inspiring. I will never forget her story.

I didn't know Natalia Estemirova but I was deeply shocked by her murder and would like to express my sympathy to her family and friends. She was a courageous, generous and committed human rights activist and her death is a huge loss. May she rest in peace.

In a country swathed in suspicion and fear,

Natalia spoke out.

In the wake of murder and assassination,

Natalia spoke out.

Human Rights defenders lay their lives on the line,

We owe it to Natalia

To speak out

Very, very loud.

With deepest sympathy and solidarity to Natalia's family, friends and colleagues.

My deepest sympathy to Nathalia to his family and collegue.

Nathalia was a couragous woman. I never forget what they have done for the human right in Russia.

I pray for Nathalia rest in pace.

Thank you Nathalia for you courage

Why is someone like this Abducted and Murdered?

Shows that Human Life is still cheap to Mother Russia!

My
heart breaks to hear of such a beautiful person being so brutally taken
from us. what a shame it is to be punished for standing up for someone
elses rights. many blessing to family and friends

-via Amnesty Canada's facebook page

Rest well Nathalia. May your work continue on in the fearless.

I'm afraid that I wasn't aware of Natalia's work until it was too late but I'm completely horrified that innocent lives are still taken without any account of their value. I hope that some good can come from this so Natalia's death will prove not to be as senseless as it seems now.

Thank you for standing up in what you believe in and having the ultimate sacrifice forced upon you. My thoughts are will all who know and care for her and for the world which will undoubtably be a worse for losing such a strong and courageous woman.

"Oppression can only survive through silence."