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March 10, 2005 Russian Federation/Chechnya: Human Rights Concerns for the 61st Session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights The Commission on Human Rights should adopt a strong resolution on the situation in Chechnya, condemning ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict; urging Russian authorities to establish a genuine accountability process for these abuses; calling on the government to invite key U.N. thematic mechanisms, in particular the Special Rapporteurs on torture and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; and insisting on an end to harassment of applicants to the European Court of Human Rights. January 22, 2005 Chechnya: Human Rights Defender Abducted Alleged pro-Russian forces in Chechnya have abducted a Chechen human rights defender, Makhmut Magomadov, Human Rights Watch said today. The abduction follows raids in recent weeks by Russian law enforcement on two human rights groups that work on Chechnya. September 9, 2004 U.K.: Postponing Rights Report Sends ‘Wrong Message’ The British government is sending a disastrous message by postponing the publication of its Human Rights Report, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the British foreign secretary. The Foreign Office has announced that the publication of the annual report would be “inappropriate” at this time in light of the recent hostage-taking in a school in Russia. September 9, 2004 Letter to UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Human Rights Watch was dismayed to learn that the planned launch of the UK government’s Human Rights Annual Report, previously scheduled for Thursday 16 September, has been delayed. We understand that publication of the report at this time is deemed “inappropriate”, in the light of the terrible events in Beslan. September 1, 2004 Russia: New Attacks on Civilians Condemned Today’s attack on a school in Russia, apparently by Chechen rebels, is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, Human Rights Watch said today. A group of masked men and women took about 300 school children, their parents and teachers hostage. April 13, 2004 Russia: Nine Civilians Extrajudicially Executed in Chechnya The bodies of nine men bearing the marks of extrajudicial execution were found in Chechnya on Friday, Human Rights Watch said today. Eight of the men had been forcibly disappeared two weeks ago after armed men, presumed to be Russian forces, took them from their homes. April 8, 2004 Russia: Conditions in Chechnya and Ingushetia Deteriorate The international community should take immediate action to address major human rights abuses continuing in Chechnya and neighboring Ingushetia, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture and Memorial Human Rights Center said in a joint statement released in Moscow today. April 8, 2004 The Situation in Chechnya and Ingushetia Deteriorates Joint Statement by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, and Memorial January 29, 2004 Briefing to the 60th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights The Commission on Human Rights should adopt a strong resolution on the situation in Chechnya, condemning ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict; urging the Russian authorities to establish a genuine accountability process for these abuses; calling on Russia to desist from coerced returns of internally displaced persons and to ensure their well-being; calling on Russia to invite key U.N. thematic mechanisms, in particular the Special Rapporteurs on torture and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; and urging Russia to agree to a new Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mandate for Chechnya. January 26, 2004 “Glad to be Deceived”: the International Community and Chechnya The armed conflict in Chechnya, now in its fourth year, is the most serious human rights crisis of the new decade in Europe. It has taken a disastrous toll on the civilian population and is now one of the greatest threats to stability and rule of law in Russia. Yet the international community’s response to it has been shameful and shortsighted. December 5, 2003 Chechen Human Rights Advocate Honored Human Rights Watch today applauded the announcement that the Martin Ennals Foundation had selected Lida Yusupova, a lawyer who provides assistance to victims of human rights abuses in Chechnya, as the winner of the 2004 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. October 31, 2003 Russia: EU Leaders at Summit Must Highlight Abuses European Union leaders should use their summit with Russia next week to voice concerns about recent developments in Chechnya and neighboring Ingushetia, Human Rights Watch said today. October 27, 2003 Russia: Securing Refuge for Displaced Chechens Russian authorities are stepping up pressure to compel 77,000 displaced Chechens in the neighboring republic of Ingushetia to return to their war-torn homeland, which they fled three years ago as Russian troops arrived to crush a separatist insurgency. October 14, 2003 November 2003 E.U.- Russia Summit We write to you in advance of the November 6, 2003 E.U.-Russia summit in Rome, to ask you to use this meeting to raise with the Russian leadership pressing concerns relating to recent developments in Chechnya and neighboring Ingushetia. September 26, 2003 Who’s Afraid of Vladimir Putin? President George W. Bush’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place on the eve of presidential elections in Chechnya. For President Putin, the elections are meant to symbolize the final stage of stabilization in the war-torn republic. President Bush shouldn’t indulge him in this illusion. September 22, 2003 Russia: Displaced Chechens in Ingushetia Face Abuses Russia’s forces are committing abuses against displaced Chechens in Ingushetia as the brutality of the conflict in Chechnya spills over into this neighboring republic, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. July 16, 2003 Russia: Abuses Spread Beyond Chechnya Russia’s abusive military operations are spreading from Chechnya to the neighboring province of Ingushetia, Human Rights Watch said today. June 20, 2003 U.K.: “Inconsistent” Blair urged to speak out on Chechnya (Letter) British Prime Minister Tony Blair must send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the worsening situation in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch said today. May 30, 2003 Russia: St. Petersburg Summit Should Not Eclipse Chechen Suffering World leaders should not ignore human rights violations in Chechnya at the upcoming summit with Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. May 13, 2003 Chechnya Attack Violates Rights Yesterday's bombing of several administrative buildings in Znamenskoe, Chechnya showed callous indifference to civilian life, Human Rights Watch said today. April 30, 2003 Council of Europe Calls for International Action to End Abuses in Chechnya In April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a strongly worded resolution stating that Russian government structures have "failed dismally to provide... protection from human rights abuses" to civilians in Chechnya and identifying a climate of impunity as a primary cause for continuing abuses by Russian and Chechen forces. April 10, 2003 U.N. Should Censure Russia Over Chechnya Abuses The United Nations Commission on Human Rights should adopt a strong resolution condemning abuses in Chechnya and Russia’s failure to investigate them, Human Rights Watch said today. April 1, 2003 Russia Should Curb Racial Discrimination Russia should immediately implement the United Nations’ recommendations on curbing racial discrimination, Human Rights Watch said today. February 24, 2003 On the Situation of Ethnic Chechens in Moscow Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper Chechens in Moscow have long been the target of police abuse. But the mass hostage taking at a Moscow theater by Chechen rebel fighters in October 2002 triggered an intense police crackdown and widespread discrimination against ethnic Chechens living in Moscow. February 9, 2003 German Chancellor Should Press Russian President on Chechnya (in German) German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder should urge President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to allow the Assistance Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) back into Chechnya, Human Rights Watch said today. Schroder is scheduled to meet with Putin on Sunday. January 29, 2003 Russia: Abuses in Chechnya Continue to Cause Human Suffering Russia’s ongoing record of serious human rights abuse in Chechnya impugns its claim that the war there contributes to the international campaign against terrorism, Human Rights Watch said in a new report published today January 23, 2003 Open Letter to President Putin Regarding the OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya January 1, 2003 European Court to Hear Chechen Suits against Russian Army In January 2003, the European Court of Human Rights declared admissible six applications from victims of the war in Chechnya against the Russian Federation Ð the first such admissibility decision on applications concerning the Chechnya war. The six applicants allege that Russian forces violated their and their relatives' right to life in several incidents such as bombing raids and summary executions during 1999 and 2000. These incidents were extensively documented by Human Rights Watch. December 31, 2002 Russia: Chechnya Monitoring Mission Closed Russia's announcement today that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) must end its mission in Chechnya raises serious human rights concerns, Human Rights Watch said today. The OSCE mission mandate expired December 31 after Russia and the OSCE failed to agree to extend it. The six-person mission had been tasked since mid-2001 with promoting respect for human rights, facilitating humanitarian aid, and promoting peaceful resolution of the crisis in Chechnya. Russian officials reportedly stated that the mission would cease to exist. December 31, 2002 Russia/Chechnya: Justice Flouted in Military Murder Case Today's acquittal of Colonel Yuri Budanov for the murder of a young Chechen woman shows Russia's resolve to shield its military from accountability for atrocities in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch said today. Citing "temporary insanity," a military court today relieved Budanov of criminal responsibility for the murder and sent him to a psychiatric institution for treatment. December 27, 2002 Chechen Rebels Must Stop Targeting Civilians Today's bombing of the headquarters of the pro-Moscow government of Chechnya in Grozny is an egregious violation of basic principles of humanitarian law, Human Rights Watch said today. December 26, 2002 Russia: Clock Running Out for Displaced Chechens in Ingushetia Russian authorities must not close tent camps housing tens of thousands of displaced Chechens because there is still nowhere safe for them to relocate, Human Rights Watch said today. November 29, 2002 Russia Must Not Force Returns to Chechnya The Russian government must stop pressuring internally displaced persons in Ingushetia to return to Chechnya, Human Rights Watch said today. Russian authorities have announced that the Aki-Yurt tent camp in northern Ingushetia will be closed by December 1, 2002, and are now hastening the return of its 1,700 inhabitants. November 14, 2002 Letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin We are writing to ask for your guarantee that people displaced from the Chechnya conflict living in Ingushetia will enjoy their rights under international law to satisfactory humanitarian conditions, to choose their own residence, and to be protected from forced return to serious human rights violations. In particular, we hope to gain your assurances that internally displaced persons living in the Aki-Yurt camp, in northern Ingushetia, will not be forced leave the camp imminently as announced by local authorities. October 30, 2002 Independent Commission of Inquiry Must Investigate Raid on Moscow Theater Russian An independent commission of inquiry must investigate the circumstances of Russia’s hostage rescue operation in Moscow, Human Rights Watch said today. October 24, 2002 Hostage Taking in Moscow Condemned The massive hostage taking at a Moscow theater by Chechen forces is an egregious violation of the Geneva Conventions, Human Rights Watch said today. October 1, 2002 Human Rights Developments in Russia: Letter to Prime Minister Blair of the United Kingdom We welcome your eagerness to develop strong ties with Russia and to encourage the country's integration with the community of democratic states. We hope that you use this relationship to ensure better human rights compliance by the Russian government and to remind President Putin of the promises he once made at prior meetings with you and other European leaders. June 5, 2002 Human Rights in Security and Development: Recommendations for the G8 Summit, June 2002, including the G8's Action Plan for Africa The G8 summit in Kananaskis, Canada in June 2002 comes at a critical time for global security and development. In the lead up to the summit, Human Rights Watch has written to G8 leaders, highlighting not only specific human rights concerns, but also the integral role human rights can play in responding to the many international challenges on the G8's agenda. May 28, 2002 Beware, Moscow could contaminate NATO The Chechnya sore For some time, President Vladimir Putin has been saying that Russia should be considered a potential member of NATO. In Rome this Tuesday he may be getting an even better deal: a seat at the main decision-making table, with the prospect of many of the rights but none of the responsibilities of NATO membership. Bringing Russia closer to NATO is a necessary part of building a Europe whole and free. But the partnership will make sense only if NATO uses it to address differences with Russia, including over the conduct of its forces in Chechnya, that challenge the alliance's core values and objectives. May 27, 2002 NATO, E.U. Should Challenge Russia on Chechnya Russia's conduct in Chechnya stands in the way of full integration into Western institutions, Human Rights Watch said today. In letters to NATO and the European Union, which are holding summits with Russia on May 28, Human Rights Watch said that the Russian military's record of abuse in Chechnya undermines the core values and strategic goals of both institutions. May 21, 2002 Bush to Russia: Address Abuses in Chechnya President Bush should speak strongly and publicly about human rights violations in Chechnya while visiting Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. April 15, 2002 Russia: Chechen "Disappearances" Continue Photos Video Persons in Chechnya continue to "disappear" in the custody of Russian forces, Human Rights Watch charged today. Days after the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in Geneva introduced a resolution on the situation in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch released a new 49-page report, Last Seen…: Continued "Disappearances" in Chechnya, detailing 87 cases of "disappearances" carried out between September 2000 and January 2002. April 10, 2002 Russia: Investigate Sexual Violence by Troops in Chechnya Français Russian forces have raped and sexually assaulted women during winter operations in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch charged today. April 2, 2002 Spain: Don't Ignore Russian Abuses in Chechnya Español Français Spanish officials should have serious discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ivanov about Russian abuses in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch urged on the eve of Ivanov's visit to Madrid. March 23, 2002 New Killings and "Disappearances" in Chechnya Russian forces on sweep operations in Chechnya continue to commit serious violations, Human Rights Watch said today. Fourteen witnesses have told Human Rights Watch researchers in the field about torture and ill-treatment, forced disappearances, and the discovery of the corpses and burned remains of nine people that took place during the March 6-11 sweep operation in Staryi Atagi, 25 miles south of Grozny. March 18, 2002 Memorandum to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation in Chechnya March 14, 2002 U.N. Commission Urged to Act on Chechnya -- The Russian government has once again refused to comply with the requirements of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which must firmly act to end the ongoing atrocities in Chechnya, Human Rights Watch said today. February 28, 2002 Abuse and Lawlessness Continue in Chechnya Russian forces in Chechnya arbitrarily detain, torture, and kill civilians in a climate of lawlessness, Human Rights Watch said today. In a 51-page report, Human Rights Watch details a series of military sweep operations during which it found hundreds of men were arbitrarily detained, dozens tortured, and at least six extrajudicially executed. January 10, 2002 Russian Federation: Serious Violations of Women's Human Rights in Chechnya Submission to Members of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women November 13, 2001 Human Rights in the New Russia-U.S. Relationship The Bush administration should make human rights protections a central part of the emerging new relationship with Russia, Human Rights Watch said today. October 1, 2001 Europe: Stay Firm on Chechnya The European Union must keep a firm stand against human rights abuses in Chechnya at the E.U.-Russia summit, Human Rights Watch said today. September 27, 2001 European Union: Safeguard Rights in Anti-Terror Campaign As U.S. President George Bush meets in Washington today with the current European Union president Guy Verhofstadt, Human Rights Watch is urging leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to make human rights protection part of the fight against terrorism. September 27, 2001 Open Letter to German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder September 24, 2001 Update Note on Chechnya Human Rights Watch backgrounder for the intersessional meeting of the Commission on Human Rights, Geneva July 6, 2001 New Round Of Russian Sweep Operations Triggers Outflow Of Civilians Allegations of Collective Punishment Against Chechens Russian government troops are arbitrarily detaining hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Chechen men in a new round of sweep operations, Human Rights Watch said today. May 15, 2001 Russia Buries Evidence of Atrocities Russian authorities have literally buried evidence of extra-judicial executions in Chechnya, according to Human Rights Watch. In a 24-page report, Burying the Evidence: The Botched Investigation into a Mass Grave in Chechnya, released today, the organization documents the Russian government’s botched investigation of a mass gravesite discovered in late February 2001. April 20, 2001 Today a resolution expressing grave concern about human rights violations in Chechnya was adopted by the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. The resolution strongly condemns the use of disproportionate force and serious human rights violations by Russia's forces and calls on Russia to investigate of all violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. It also raises concern about the pattern of forced disappearances, torture and summary executions perpetrated by Russia's forces in Chechnya. The resolution stops short of calling for an international commission of inquiry. Find out more. From March 19 through April 27, 2001 the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held its annual meeting in Geneva. HRW urged Commission members to:
The U.N. Commission on Human Rights dispatches investigations into violations of human rights and monitors compliance with international human rights law. You can find out more about the Commission by visiting the U.N. Commission on Human Rights Web site. In the weeks leading up to the Commission meeting Human Rights Watch staff met with U.S. and European government representatives to brief them on our findings in the field and argue for a strong position on Chechnya. Visitors to this Web page were asked to send letters and faxes calling on your foreign ministers to co-sponsor a resolution on Chechnya. The Crisis Continues Russian Forces in Chechnya continue to commit atrocities at an alarming rate. Russian abuses documented by HRW since late 1999 include:
Chechen forces have summarily executed servicemen they have captured as well as physically abused civilians.
The humanitarian situation remains in crisis as well. A third of Chechnya's population — more than 260,000 people — is displaced within Chechnya and another 170,000 are living in difficult circumstances in neighboring Ingushetia. Humanitarian organizations cannot operate effectively in Chechnya because of the climate of insecurity. See HRW's recent press releases and reports on Chechnya to find out more. |
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