Chechnya – human rights under attack

Astemir Murdalov with some of the letters he has written to the authorities in an attempt to find his son, Zelimkhan, who "disappeared" in January 2001. © Paula Allen

“... the current level of destruction suggests that Grozny has been the target of indiscriminate, disproportionate bombardment by the Russian forces.”
Lord Judd, member of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, April 2000

The conflict in Chechnya has been characterized by widespread and credible reports that Russian forces have been responsible for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including "disappearances", extrajudicial executions and torture, including rape. These violations would be serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions and constitute war crimes.

Chechen forces have also committed abuses. For example, there have been reports that Chechen fighters have executed captured Russian soldiers. Such abuses would also constitute war crimes.

Some 300,000 people, the majority of them women and children, have fled their homes to escape the fighting. As at mid-2002, approximately 160,000 remained in temporary accommodation and in camps for internally displaced people, the majority in neighbouring Ingushetia, where they faced severe overcrowding and harsh conditions. They have also come under pressure from the Russian authorities to return home whether or not it is safe for them to do so.

According to reports, Russian forces have arbitrarily detained, tortured or killed thousands of civilians. Most people who are detained by Russian forces are picked up during identity checks on civilian convoys travelling from Chechnya to Ingushetia or during military raids (so-called zachistki or "clean-up" raids) on populated areas. These raids are accompanied by widespread abuses against the civilian population. Civilians, including women and children, have reportedly been abducted, subjected to rape and other forms of torture, and killed.

Some military units reportedly black out the number plates or other identifying information on their vehicles during raids.

Detainees have been held in facilities that sometimes amount to little more than pits in the ground. They are denied access to relatives, lawyers and the outside world. Survivors have said that torture is routine and systematic. They have reported the rape of male and female detainees, beatings with hammers and clubs, electro-shock torture and exposure to tear gas.

The Russian authorities have proved very reluctant to provide information on the number of investigations and prosecutions. However, investigations into allegations of extrajudicial execution, “disappearances”, torture and ill-treatment are rare. Those investigations that do take place are usually inadequate and hardly ever result in those responsible being prosecuted.

Far from holding the perpetrators to account, the Russian authorities are reportedly redeploying units widely believed to have been involved in human rights violations back to Chechnya for further tours of service.

Many Chechens remain deeply suspicious of the Russian authorities and have little faith that any complaint they bring will result in a prosecution. Many fear that making a complaint could expose them to further human rights violations. The Russian authorities have failed to take appropriate steps to counter this climate of fear and to encourage the victims of human rights violations to come forward and register complaints.

International criticism of human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law in Chechnya has often been muted, especially in the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the USA and the subsequent US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, which was supported by the Russian government. The international community should encourage all sides to the Chechen conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and to take immediate steps to protect the civilian population.

The Russian authorities have allowed a climate of impunity to emerge in Chechnya which protects and encourages human rights abusers. For far too long the authorities have ignored their obligation to bring those responsible for human rights abuses to justice and to provide the victims with an effective remedy. It is time that the Russian Federation took steps to turn its paper commitments to human rights and justice into a reality.

Next: Children’s rights