European Parliament resolution on non-prolongation of the OSCE mandate in Chechnya
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Chechnya, in particular its resolution
of 10 April 2002,
- having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and on the EU-Russia Summits
of 28 May and 11 November 2002,
- having regard to the recent decision of the Russian Government effectively leading
to the termination of the OSCE assistance group to Chechnya,
- having regard to the postponement of its ad hoc delegation visit to Chechnya
by letter from the Russian Duma,
A. whereas the situation in the Chechen Republic remains very tense, in particular
after the terrorist attacks on the Russian government building in Grozny and the
terrorist attacks on the Moscow theatre,
B. worried that Chechen rebel forces have increasingly targeted civilians in their
guerrilla war against Russian troops,
C. deeply worried by new rounds of large-scale sweep operations launched
by the Russian army and security forces which add to daily massive human
rights violations, torture, assassinations, kidnappings, disappearances,
arbitrary detention and filtration camps,
D. disappointed by the acquittal by a Russian court on 31 December 2002 of Colonel
Yuri Budanov for the rape and murder of the 18-year-old Chechen woman, Elza Kungaeva,
E. alarmed by the action of the Russian police in Ingushetia, who dismantled the
Aki Yurt tent camp, expelling Chechen refugees, and continue to put pressure on
people in the five remaining camps by cutting gas and electricity so as to relocate
them back in Chechnya,
F. whereas the Russian Government has announced that there should be a referendum
in Chechnya in March 2003, which will be the first step in a process hopefully
leading to democratic and fair elections,
G. whereas there are still no negotiations on a political solution between the
Russian and the Chechen side,
H. having regard to the recent decision of the Commission to grant EUR 3
million of humanitarian aid to provide food for victims of the conflict in Chechnya,
I. pointing out the dramatic humanitarian situation facing Chechnya and the difficulties
in delivering aid to the population by the small number of NGOs still operating
in the region,
J. whereas the OSCE mission's original 1995 mandate in Chechnya covered alleged
human rights violations, relief aid, help for refugees, conflict resolution
and supporting mechanisms for maintaining law and order,
1. Severely condemns the terrorist attack on the headquarters of the Russian administration
in the Chechen capital Grozny, killing at least 55 people and injuring at least
120 and expresses its condolence to the relatives and friends of all victims of
the conflict and in particular of the two recent terrorist attacks;
2. Expresses its deep disappointment about the failure to renew the mandate of
the OSCE Assistance Group for Chechnya, which expired on 31 December 2002;
3. Considers that the OSCE field mission has done very useful work under
often very difficult conditions, which was acceptable to all parties and
could contribute to reducing instability, insecurity and lawlessness;
4. Urges the Russian Federation to agree to resume negotiations immediately concerning
a renewal of the full OSCE mandate, which should not be restricted to focusing
only on coordinating humanitarian assistance in the region;
5. Regrets the postponement of its ad hoc delegation visit to Chechnya, expresses
its hopes that this joint EP-Duma delegation visit to Chechnya will take
place in spring 2003 and regrets the denial of access to Chechnya of international
representatives;
6. Reiterates its deep concern about ongoing violence in Chechnya, including the
increasing number of terrorist acts by Chechen fighters;
7. Urges both sides, in this context, to find the way back to the negotiating
table, as only a political solution can lead to long- lasting peace in the region;
8. Calls upon Russia to establish a proactive policy towards the prosecution of
all citizens, including military personnel, who have committed serious criminal
acts in Chechnya and welcomes the fact that State Prosecutor Alexander Derbenyov
appealed in respect of the verdict against Colonel Yuri Budanov, urging the court
to find him guilty of all charges against him;
9. Welcomes the decision of the Commission on humanitarian aid for Chechnya; urges
Russia to cooperate fully with EC- funded humanitarian aid agencies and other
international humanitarian organisations, to grant them access to Chechnya and
to facilitate their operating conditions;
10. Calls on the Russian Government to stop putting pressure on internally displaced
people into returning to Chechnya and to ensure that they continue to enjoy protection
and humanitarian assistance in accordance with international law; stresses the
need to ensure that repatriation of refugees and IDP take place exclusively on
a voluntary basis; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to send observers
to Ingushetia to monitor and report on the situation;
11. Calls on the Russian Government to pursue maximum efforts to secure the early
release of Mr Erkel, a humanitarian MSF worker, who remains kidnapped in the region;
12. Believes that the forthcoming referendum could offer a genuine choice to the
Chechen people and that it must be prepared and organised in a democratic and
fair way, with international monitoring, including the OSCE;
13. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission
and the government and parliament of Russia.
January 16th, 2003".
[24.01.2003 21:34]
http://www.chechnya.nl/news.php?id=1553&lang=eng
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