| Kavkaz-Center
Chechnya: civilian casualties equal to 230 thousand Spokesman of the Domestic Subcommittee of Informational Council of State Defense Council «Majlis al-Shura» of CRI reported to Shariah news and information agency that the overall civilian casualties in Chechen Republic of Ichkeria over the last two Russian military aggressions against Chechnya are at least 230 thousand. It is 23 percent of the entire Chechen population living on the territory of the former USSR until 1994. Among peaceful civilians killed by Russian invaders 20 thousand are children from infants to 15-year-olds. 20 to 25 thousand Chechens are missing. Up to 25 thousand Chechen peaceful civilians are held in concentration camps and prisons on the territory of CRI as well as on territories of Russia. Over 300 thousand CRI citizens became refugees. 95 percent of the economic potential of CRI has been destroyed. Out of 420 cities and villages of Chechnya 120 were utterly annihilated. 245 were partly ruined. Capital of CRI Jokhar (former Grozny) with the population of 450 thousand before 1994 is now destroyed 90 percent. At the present moment there are about 180 thousand people living in Jokhar. Kavkaz-Center News 2003-12-07 AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE News Flash AI Index: EUR 46/094/2003
(Public) News Service No: 276 5 December 2003 Ingushetia: Camp closure must not result in involuntary returns The Russian authorities have announced that they will close yet another camp for displaced Chechens in Ingushetia. Amnesty International is concerned that the closure of the "Alina" tent camp -- the third in one year -- will result in more involuntary returns of internally displaced persons to the Chechen Republic without guarantees for their security or well-being. Amnesty International has received credible reports of intimidation and harassment of IDPs in connection with previous camp closures. According to the UNHCR, 103 families from the camp wish to be relocated to another camp in Ingushetia, while 72 families plan to return to the Chechen Republic. Amnesty International urges the Russian authorities to ensure that none of the IDPs are coerced into returning to what continues to be an unsafe environment. The organization also urges the authorities to guarantee that appropriate accommodation, necessary infrastructure services and facilities and official registration will be provided to the families who choose to return to Chechnya as well as those who remain in Ingushetia. Public Document **************************************** For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566 Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org For latest human rights news view http://news.amnesty.org
A human rights group has expressed concern for the plight
of displaced Chechens after Russia announced it is to close a refugee
camp in Ingushetia. Amnesty International said on Friday the closure
of the Alina tent camp will force refugees to return to neighboring
war-torn Chechnya without security guarantees. It is estimated there are 12,000 Chechen refugees living
in tent camps in Ingushetia who have fled fighting between Russian troops
and resistance fighters in their homeland. Amnesty said it has received credible reports of intimidation
and harassment of refugees in connection with previous camp closures. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees, 103 families from the Alina camp want to be relocated to another
camp in Ingushetia, while 72 families plan to return to Chechnya. Amnesty said it has urged the Russian authorities to
ensure none of the refugees are coerced into returning to an unsafe
environment. Brutal war The organization also urged Moscow to guarantee appropriate
accommodation, and provide official registration to families who choose
to return to Chechnya and those who remain in Ingushetia. Chechen refugees have been fleeing to Ingushetia since
Russian troops poured into Chechnya in October 1999. The republic had won de facto independence from Russia
after a 1994-96 war, but was invaded a second time after President Vladimir
Putin came to power. The official Russian military toll from the second war
is estimated at up to 5000 soldiers, although rights groups believe
the figure may be closer to 12,000. Russia says that up to 15,000 Chechen rebels have also
been killed, although the official civilian toll has never been published. 2003-12-06 19:12:06
|