An Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity shall be formed for the impartial investigation of the crimes against humanity perpetrated in 1940 – 1991 against the Estonian citizens or in Estonia. The President of the Republic has asked Ambassador Max Jakobson from Finland to accept the post of the Chairman of the Commission. The others who have given their consent to participate in the work of the Commission are: Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, MP, President of the European Liberal Party, former Foreign Minister of Denmark; Paul Goble, Director of Communications of Public Relations of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; Nicolas Lane, Chairman of the International Relations Commission of the American Jewish Committee; Walter Laqueur, Cochair of International Research Council of the Center for Strategic International Studies in Washington; Peter Reddaway, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs of the George Washington University; and Arseni Roginski, Chairman of the Council of the Scientific and Educational Centre ''Memorial'' of Moscow, Scientific Programme Manager.

An Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and a foundation will be established to arrange the financing of the Commission’s work. The first meeting of the Commission is to be held at the end of this year.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 2, 1998

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