10.9.2003 13:42 MSK PRIMA News Agency

Chechnya: anti-war activists suggest forum instead of elections

RUSSIA, Nazran. Participants at a conference of Chechen human rights activists, taking place in the capital of the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia, have called on the population of Chechnya and the world community to boycott the presidential elections in Chechnya, scheduled for 5 October.

The declaration of 7 September states that in Chechnya military actions are continuing, people are continuing to disappear, and the electoral campaign is characterised by threats and blackmail against the civilian population. Participants at the conference suggested calling an international forum which would find ways of ending the war in Chechnya, instead of "elections».

At the conference in Nazran, representatives included those from the renowned Russian human rights organization Memorial", the "Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship", the "Echo of war", "Mothers of the Chechen Republic for Peace", and others. The conference chairman was the head of the "Chechen Committee of National Rescue", Ruslan
Badalov.

PRIMA News Agency [2003-09-09-Chech-07]