02/04/2002
Publication of the FIDH report >>> ChechnyaTerror and Impunity : A Planned System
The conflict in Chechnya has been going on for two and a half years now. The Russian forces have kept perpetrating, behind closed doors, massive human rights violations -attested and condemned since the beginning of the conflict by NGOs as well as international organizations (United Nations, Council of Europe, European Union). The crimes committed have remained unpunished.
The Russian authorities continue to justify this war by the legitimate fight against terrorism, but the methods used belong to a wholly different reality. In Chechnya, the civilian population is still the first victim of a conflict which the Russian government is unwilling to put an end to, in spite of their obligation and commitment to do so.
The "disappearances" and the murders of people arrested - occurred in particular during the sweep and reprisal operations - cannot be considered as "peripheral problems" or "excesses committed by the executants". Behind the façade of the official system of detention, inquiry and investigation, there is an unofficial detention system -in the military bases, etc. The center of this system is located in Khankala, the main military base of the federal forces. This is the place where persons arrested all over the Chechen territory are taken to and where, many a time, the bodies of persons "disappeared" were found.
This phenomenon is characteristic of a climate of diffuse and permanent insecurity over all the Chechen territory and even the neighboring Ingushetia. Any Chechen man aged between 15 and 65 seems to be a potential terrorist according to the representatives for the federal forces and is therefore likely to be arrested and eliminated.
Besides, some obstacles to the work of justice could be overcome if the highest Russian authorities demonstrated a political will to shed light on the crimes perpetrated against the civilians. Yet, it is quite the opposite. This impunity, as highlighted in the report, is part of an organized system. At every level, and in a deliberate way, the forces on the field are applying themselves to conceal elements of proof or threaten the victims of reprisals in case they lodge a complaint, etc.
As the 58th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights has opened, the FIDH again wishes to raise the alarm with the international community.
The States have to take their responsibilities. After more than two years of conflict and a series of unkept promises, and considering the lack of any progress regarding human rights, the member States of the 58th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights must adopt imperative measures and sanctions.
Firstly, they must adopt a resolution guaranteeing the sending of an independent and impartial international investigation commission to investigate on the indiscriminate and disproportioned use of force.
Besides, they must unanimously condemn and reject the Russian authorities’ discourse using the tragic events of September 11th to justify the pursuit of their policy in Chechnya. Under no circumstances can the fight against terrorism be used as a pretext to the perpetration of serious human rights violations.
The case of Chechnya constitutes a challenge for the Commission on Human Rights, it is a true test of its capacity, and that of its State members, to defend human rights in the post September 11th international context.