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"Civilized countries cynically ignore crimes of Russian military in Chechnya": 16 September We adopted a number of statements and addresses to the international community at a conference of Chechen human rights organizations held in Nazran, Republic of Ingushetia, on 7 September. Among issues discussed at the conference was the so-called "UN black list", in which Russia suggested to include several former leaders of the Chechen resistance movement. A special statement was issued in this respect. However, for reasons that are obscure to us, the electronic media have disseminated not the final edition of the statement, but rather its initial version which, after lengthy discussions and arguments, was rejected by the overwhelming majority of the participants in the conference. The main point of contention was precisely whether S. Basayev's statement was to be mentioned in the statement, as some of the participants demanded that it should be mentioned in the statement to be issued. Nonetheless, the participants in the conference managed to reach a consensus and the problem was resolved. Here is the text of the statement: Statement The Chechens' struggle for national independence, economic self- dependence and spiritual liberation is a historical reality which, in turn, is part of a global process. However, from the very first days of its existence, the Chechen state has encountered fierce resistance on the part of the Russian empire. It became a subject of an outrageous propaganda campaign which subsequently evolved first into military aggression and then into genocide against its population. The longer the war rages, the more crimes are committed in Chechnya by the Russian military and staffers of secret services, and more aggressive the propaganda becomes. The Russian mass media present the war as a decisive method of political settlement, whereas shooting people without trial and abductions are described as but the fight against terrorism. The deliberate misinterpretation of notions and terminological cheating are inherent parts of this essentially calumnious campaign. It is regrettable that, without taking any effective measures on their part to stop the murders and disappearance of people that have been continuing for four years now, leaders and public of many countries of the world with increasing frequency allow the Russian propaganda staffers to cheat them. We, representatives of human rights and public organizations of the Chechen Republic, are compelled to state that with regard to events that are taking place in our long-suffering motherland, the so-called civilized countries have assumed a position which encourages aggressors, murderers and terrorists who wear the Russian military uniform. We consider this policy to be the policy of double standards. We think that it impedes prospects for a peaceful settlement in the Caucasus and brings more suffering to the Chechen people. In our view, one of the manifestations of the policy of double standards is the inclusion of certain Chechen politicians in a certain UN list as individuals who are prone to terrorism. We know one thing for certain - in carrying out their constitutional duty, they have committed neither war crimes nor crimes against humanity! The blood of people who were killed or tortured to death does not weigh on [former Chechen President Zelimkhan] Yandarbiyev's, [Chechen information minister and President Maskhadov's envoy Akhmed] Zakayev's and [former Chechen Deputy Prime Minister Kazbek] Makhashev's conscience. It appears, however, that the presumption of innocence, this fundamental principle of the modern criminal and international legal procedure, will not apply to them. Members of independent social, public and human rights organizations of the Chechen Republic, who gathered in Nazran on 7 November to hold a special conference, express their perplexity over the occurrence and would like to remind all politicians and statesmen of the civilized world that according to the norms of international law, no-one can be declared a criminal other than by court sentence. The list of individuals and organizations signatories to this statement: Imran Ezhiyev - regional branch of the Russo-Chechen Friendship Society Libkan Bazayeva - Women's Dignity public organization Magomed Musayev - Call of Ancestors public organization Koka Khachukayeva - Chechen Mothers' Pain human rights organization Shirvani Gunayev - International United Committee of the Chechen Refugees Tamara Guzuyeva - Face of the Future public organization (Chechnya- Ingushetia) Ramzan Didayev - League of Progressive Forces of the Chechen Republic public organization Lecha Ilyasov - Latta public organization Izruddin Aldamov - Lamanan Shovda public organization Timur Aliyev - T. Aliyev Institute inter-regional public organization Ruslan Badalov - Chechen National Salvation Committee regional public movement, National Olympic Committee of Chechnya Baudi Dudayev - Union of Refugees from the Chechen Republic public organization Zarman Makhadzhiyeva - Niyso human rights organization Murad Nashkhoyev - Independent Consultative Council Zulay Bagalova - Council of Nongovernment Organizations, Lam cultural centre, honoured artist of the Russian Federation Mate Tsikhisashvili - Committee for Searching Missing People Lema Shakhmurzayev - Lamast Political Culture Institute Toita Yunusova - Chechen branch of Echo of War international creative movement Zaynap Gashayeva - Echo of War international creative movement Madina Magomadova - Mothers of Chechnya for Peace association Maya Shovkhalova - Iberia public organization Fatima Gaziyeva - North Caucasus Women Union Magomed Musayev - Union of Lawyers of the Chechen Republic Tamara Kalayeva - Independent Chechen information centre Yakha Tayzulayeva - Umma public organization Dik Altemirov - Assembly of Social and Political Parties and Movements of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Akhmad Sardali - Chairman, Caucasus Journalists' Union Mayrbek Taramov - Chechen Human Rights Centre Ilmadi Shaykhiyev - Chairman, Chechen Regional Organization Koka Elbiyeva - Women's Union of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Soslambek Nakayev - Sintar public and political movement Leyla Ayubova - Dialogue youth movement Magomed Musayev - Union of the Disabled of the Chechen Republic Ruslan Zhadayev - Council of Nongovernment Organizations, analytical centre Vakha Bersanukayev - Iman Party Khuseyn Alikhadzhiyev - Umma public and political union M. [Musa] Khatuyev - Chairman, Council of War Veterans I. [Isa] Akhyadov - Coordinator, World Congress of Chechens Adlan Daudov - Chairman, Public Council of the Bela refugee camp Olkhazar Osmayev - Chairman, Public Council of the Satsita refugee camp
7 September 2003 Nazran, Republic of Ingushetia http://www.daymohk.info/rus/index.php? mode=1&element=3367&PHPSESSID=02c04fc610171529af196a6d8516598d |