WRITTEN QUESTION P-3643/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Forced repatriation of Chechen refugees from the Iman camp in Aki Yurt, Ingushetia

The authorities of the Russian Federation and Ingushetia have begun to implement the decision to close all the refugee camps in Ingushetia. These camps house more than 100 000 Chechens who have fled the war, round-ups, torture, rapes, kidnappings, summary executions and other forms of persecution which the Russian authorities are systematically inflicting on the civilian population of Chechnya. In the last few days, the Russian authorities have carried out the forced repatriation of some 2 000 Chechen refugees living in the Iman camp in Aki Yurt. In accordance with the instructions issued by Moscow, all the other camps in Ingushetia must be closed before the end of December, i.e. in mid-winter. Last week, the Commission, through Commissioner Nielson, expressed its concern regarding this matter to the Russian Federation, pointing out that the European Commission and the international community as a whole have repeatedly called on the authorities not to close any refugee camps in Ingushetia until such time as the displaced persons can be guaranteed a safe return to their homes.

Has the Commission officially reacted to this umpteenth violation of the relevant international agreements by the authorities of the Russian Federation and, if so, in what form and in what terms? What practical steps does the Commission plan to take in order to persuade the Russian authorities to call an immediate halt to the forced repatriation of Chechen refugees and to comply with the spirit and the letter of international agreements on refugees? In the light of the extremely serious health and food-supply situation facing the more than 100 000 Chechens who are still refugees in Ingushetia and the more than 300 000 Chechens who are refugees within Chechnya itself, does the Commission not feel it has a duty to propose to the Council and Parliament an emergency plan so that these Chechen refugees, or a substantial number of them, can be temporarily housed on Union territory?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 January 2003)

The Commission has always followed the Chechen conflict and the resulting humanitarian tragedy very closely. The Commission is aware of the scale of the fundamental rights violations in Chechnya and of the breach of international humanitarian law, which requires protection of the civilian population. On a number of occasions it has expressed its deep concern to the Russian authorities about the threat to close the camps for displaced people in Ingushetia. The Commission is also taking part in a number of diplomatic initiatives launched by the EU in the framework of the political dialogue with the Russian Federation.

Its formal response to the closure of the Aki Yurt camp has taken a number of forms. The Commissioner responsible for development and humanitarian aid has strongly condemned this forced displacement of civilians in the middle of winter. The EU delivered the same message at the ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Economic cooperation and Development (OECD) at Porto and again on 9 December 2002 to Mr Vladimir Chizov, the deputy foreign minister, when it called on the Russian authorities not to close other camps for displaced persons. The Troika of EU Ambassadors in Moscow were to meet the Russian federal minister, Mr Stanislav Ilyasov, who is in charge of reconstruction in Chechnya, on 16 December and inform him of the EU's deep concern.

The appropriate solution for the terrible situation in Chechnya is, in the Commission's opinion, an immediate halt to human rights violations and pursuit of all those responsible for such violations. The EU has also invited the Russian authorities at the highest level to work towards a political solution that would lay the foundations for lasting peace, stability and reconstruction in Chechnya. The EU will remain extremely attentive to the issue of human rights in Chechnya and will raise the problem in all appropriate forums of the bilateral political dialogue with the Russian Federation. It will also take an active part in the discussions and initiatives concerning Chechnya within the Council of Europe and the OECD.

Apart from these political initiatives, the Commission remains the biggest humanitarian aid donor in the North Caucasus, which, since the onset of the second conflict, has received over EUR 90 million in aid for the victims of the fighting. The Commission will also continue to raise the question of access and the multiple obstacles the Russian authorities put in the path of humanitarian organisations on the ground, an issue which is at the centre of discussions between the EU and Russia.