On October 2, 1998, the President of the Republic of Estonia formed the Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity 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. The first meeting of the Commission is to be held at the end of this year.

The Estonian International Commission for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity is an independent non-governmental organisation (NGO). On the foundation meeting on October 12, 1998, the Estonian Foundation for Investigation of Crimes against Humanity was established to support the Commission's work. The Foundation's Board consists of Jaak Aaviksoo, Paul Goble, Jüri Raidla and Hannes Tamjärv, and the President of the Republic has consented to become the patron of the Foundation.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, October 12, 1998

Information for journalists: more detailed information on the Commission's work can be obtained from Toomas Hiio at the Office of the President of the Republic of Estonia.

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