THE NIS OBSERVED: AN ANALYTICAL
REVIEW
(Volume VIII, No. 11, 10 July 2003)
CHECHNYA
Coerced return
"Despite the deteriorating security situation in Chechnya, the forced return of
IDPs in Ingushetia has already begun," said Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) director
for Chechnya and Ingushetia, Mr. Gabriel Trujilo in testimony to the US Congress
Helsinki Commission on 10 June, 2003.
Russian authorities are redoubling efforts to force the refugees in Ingushetia
to return to Chechnya. Such measures include threats and intimidation, conducting
"cleansings" in Ingushetia, squeezing international NGOs out of the region and
making Ingushetia as inhospitable to refugees as the conflict zone proper.
In February, MSF conducted a survey of 3,209 Chechen families living in 8 refugee
camps in Ingushetia. This represents 16,499 persons and all but 39 families
who live in the camps. Of the respondents, 98% percent did not want to return
to Chechnya and 93% said that they did not want to return because they feared
for their security. ("Left Without A
Choice: Chechens forced to return to Chechnya," MSF Press Release, April 2003)
The camps represent only a small fraction (roughly 18%) of all the Chechen IDPs
in Ingushetia, since most have settled in "spontaneous settlements" or are staying
in private homes.