-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- Urgent Joint Appeal on The Situation In Chechnya 8 March 2000, Tokyo As witnesses of the previous war in Chechnya from 1994-1996 and participants of the anti-war movement we express our deep concern and horror at the present unlimited violence being used by Russian forces against the civilian population in Chechnya. We condemn the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Chechnya and the bombing of villages and towns and other assaults on civilian objects, including hospitals and buildings used for religious purposes. Most of the republic has been destroyed. Medical staff and patients have been shot dead by Russian soldiers. We condemn the use of prohibited weapons by Russian forces. Having gained control of inhabited areas, Russian forces intimidate the local population, in many cases arresting or executing civilians on the spot. What Russian authorities name an anti-terrorist campaign, is in fact widespread harassment of the civilian population, with no respect for human life and dignity. No civilian in Chechnya can feel safe in any part of their homeland. Freedom of movement within the republic is denied, with special permission demanded by Russian-controlled authorities from every civilian moving from one district of the republic to another. The mass random arrests, which threaten the local population in every part of Chechnya, lead often to detainment in filtration camps run by Russian forces where beatings, torture, rape and killings are commonplace. The Chechen peace activist Zura Betieva of the Union of Women of Ichkeria was arrested at her home in the Naur district one month ago and has since been held with her son in the filtration camp 'Chiornokozovo'. The Chechen Minister of Health Omar Khambiev and around fifteen members of his medical staff have also been in such a filtration camp since the beginning of February. 200,000 refugees living in Ingushetia face poor conditions and insufficient assistance. Adequate nourishment and medical treatment are particularly lacking. The Russian Ministry of Emergencies closed down canteens in the refugee camps in February, and supplies of bread for refugees has been reduced in March. We fear this to be part of the pressure being applied by Russian authorities to move refugees back to Chechnya. However most are afraid to return to face harassment by Russian forces, the threat of filtration camps and the continued bombing and raids, and the majority have lost their homes. Internally displaced persons within Chechnya face even worse conditions than in Ingushetia, with almost no help being provided. Even basics such as electricity, gas for heating and cooking, basic food and medications, are absent. Food for many is in short supply. We consider the first Chechen war and the present war to be crimes against humanity, peace and civilization. Political and military authorities of the Russian Federation in particular must be held responsible for the crimes that they have committed. The Russian leadership has throughout the war in Chechnya pursued the consistent and systematic policy of genocide, denying any possibility of a peaceful solution to the issue of the Chechen people's right to self-determination. We call on the international community to: ? denounce clearly the military operation and violation of human rights in Chechnya and increase pressure on the Russian government to halt the military aggression, withdraw troops from Chechnya and conduct peace talks with Chechen authorities, primarily with the democratically elected and legally recognized government of president Aslan Maskhadov, and with a third party to act as a guarantor for agreements reached in negotiations. ? deploy immediately in Chechnya an international monitoring mission, with a mandate from an inter-governmental human rights body such as the UN human rights commission, the Council of Europe or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to monitor and assess all evidence of human rights violations and war crimes. Any further financial loans or assistance to the Russian government should be linked to an agreement on the satisfactory deployment of such a mission. ? establish an international war crimes tribunal to provide a professional legal assessment of war crimes and the violations of international law, and to prosecute those responsible for this. ? provide urgent humanitarian assistance for victims of the war both in Ingushetia and inside Chechnya, channeled through experienced and reliable locally based international or local NGOs, or governmental humanitarian agencies working independently of the Russian authorities, to increase the reliability of its distribution to those who need it. Madina Magomadova Chairperson, "Mothers of Chechnya" Association, Viktor Popkov Director, 'Omega' Society, Chris Hunter Director, Centre for Peacemaking and Community Development Junsei Teresawa Buddhist monk, 'Nipponzan Myuohoji' Temple Tadashi Aoyama Director, Citizens Fund for Peace -- ------------- * ENWL (English) * -------- Ecological North West Line * St.Petersburg, Russia E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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