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RECOMMENDATIONS

Human Rights Watch respectfully submits the following recommendations for action.

To the Governments of the Russian Federation:
· In accordance with the Constitutional Court ruling of February 1998, repeal all existing residence requirements that serve as anything beyond notification, and discipline civil servants who continue to deny individuals' basic rights or access to services based on residence requirements;
· Conduct thorough investigations of attacks on and threats and discrimination against Russian citizens, refugees, and IDPs, and vigorously prosecute the perpetrators;
· Cease immediately arbitrary and discriminatory identity checks and raids by law enforcement agents;
· Establish and enforce penalties for law enforcement agents, Cossacks and other paramilitary groups who commit racially discriminatory acts or acts of violence.
· Request the Council of Europe to conduct a study tour of Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces to examine the treatment of ethnic minorities;
· Strengthen protection of human rights, with particular attention to the rights of ethnic minorities;
· Publicly denounce racial discrimination and all violations of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and introduce a vigorous education and training campaign for civil servants in order to improve implementation of these protections; and
· Conduct a public education campaign in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces on ethnic tolerance.

To the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights:
· Request the U.N. Center for Human Rights to deploy human rights monitors to southern Russia, with the primary goals of making regular, public reports on their findings and disseminating them among the refugee and IDP populations; and
· Establish a field office in southern Russia — preferably in Krasnodar — that would work with local authorities to implement Russia's refugee legislation and train local officials in refugee protection. In addition, such a field office would, in accordance with the U.N.'s mandate under the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, provide protection services to stateless people in the region.

To the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe:
· Through the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) work with government officials to lessen ethnic hostility through inter-ethnic dialogue and training courses; and
· Fund a public service campaign in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces on ethnic tolerance.

To the Council of Europe:
· In the context of the monitoring processes of the Committee of Ministers, the Parliamentary Assembly, and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, condemn the abuses committed in Russia against non-ethnic Russians;
· Conduct a study tour on the protection of ethnic minorities in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces and make public the findings;
· Help fund a public service campaign to promote ethnic tolerance in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces; and
· Conduct expanded programs of intergovernmental exchange and training, particularly targeting Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces, to educate law enforcement and other government officials about standards of ethnic tolerance required among Council of Europe member states.

To the United States Government and the European Commission:
· During the upcoming U.S. - Russia summit, President Clinton should express concern about abuses being committed against Russian citizens, refugees and IDPs in the Russian Federation, and should urge President Yeltsin to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice; and
· Fund a public service campaign on ethnic tolerance in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces.
· Fund non-governmental organizations in Krasnodar and Stavropol devoted to promoting inter-ethnic dialogue and tolerance.
· Include in training programs for Russian law enforcement, curricula emphasizing human rights in generals and minority rights in particular. Target law enforcement personnel in Krasnodar and Stavropol provinces for such training.

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