March 23, 2000
Re: Pending $100 Million Structural Adjustment Loan Payment to the Russian Federation
Dear World Bank Executive Directors:
We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the pending payment of the next $100 million tranche of the World Bank's coal sector structural adjustment loan to the Russian Federation. In light of compelling evidence of serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Russian armed forces in Chechnya, we believe that the Bank should delay any such payments for general budgetary spending until such time that the Russian government evidences a clear commitment to abide by international law in Chechnya, including by the acceptance of an international monitoring presence in the region and the initiation of a serious, transparent investigation of alleged abuses.
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We strongly believe that any payment to
the Russian government for unfettered general budgetary spending at a time when its military is so flagrantly violating international law would be contrary to Bank policy. Moreover, it would send the
wrong signal to both the Russian government and the residents of Chechnya. At a time when the international community is seeking to influence the agenda of a new Russian government, it would
indicate a subordination of good governance, rule of law, and human rights to other items on the agenda.
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We recognize that the decision to disburse the funds rests with the Bank's management and have today written the attached letter to Mr. Wolfensohn, outlining our view that the pending payment to the Russian Federation would be contrary to the Bank's policy and mandate. At the same time, we are also looking to the Bank's shareholders to express their serious reservations about this payment.
Through more than five hundred exhaustive interviews with victims, witnesses, and family-members, we have documented serious violations of international humanitarian law in Chechnya, including indiscriminate and disproportionate bombing, widespread looting, arbitrary detention, torture, and the summary executions of more than120 civilians by Russian troops. After recent meetings in Moscow with Russian military officials, the military procurator, and the Presidential Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya, moreover, we are forced to conclude that the Russian government has not undertaken a serious process of accountability for these abuses.
As is elaborated in the attached letter to Mr. Wolfensohn, we strongly believe that any payment to the Russian government for unfettered general budgetary spending at a time when its military is so flagrantly violating international law would be contrary to Bank policy. Moreover, it would send the wrong signal to both the Russian government and the residents of Chechnya. At a time when the international community is seeking to influence the agenda of a new Russian government, it would indicate a subordination of good governance, rule of law, and human rights to other items on the agenda. In addition, it would exacerbate the feeling of abandonment that we have seen growing among the people of Chechnya. Throughout the past five months, our staff based in Ingushetia have witnessed a radicalization of the civilian population that is tinged with animosity toward not only the Russian Federation, but also the "West," which many see as ignoring their plight and even financing Russia's military operation. These are worrisome factors that should reinforce your opposition to the Bank's pending payment.
We hope that you will voice strong reservations about the Bank's payment. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Roth Executive Director Human Rights Watch |
Holly Cartner Executive Director Europe & Central Asia Division
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cc: World Bank executive directors
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