Violations of journalists' rights in Chechnya - February 2003Monitoring press violations and conflicts connected to media coverage of the events in the territory of the Chechen Republic in February 2003 Compiled by the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations. Translated by Prague Watchdog.
February 4
Tatyana Seledtsova, head of the Russian Press Ministry’s department in the Southern Federal Region, said that, on the whole, restoring the media sector in Chechnya has been successful, and praised the efforts of Chechen journalists to support federal policy. She explained that discussions are presently underway on providing professional training to people working in the media in Chechnya and, for example, Chechen journalists already study at the training and educational center for journalists of the Southern Federal Region. Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached to exchange media teams between Chechnya and other parts of the Region.
February 4 – 25
Several Russian and Western media agencies, including Reuters, reported on a televised speech made by the Chechen separatist leader, Aslan Maskhadov, in which he vowed to do all he could to prevent the Chechen constitutional referendum from taking place on March 23. He appealed to the people not to take part in it, and threatened to launch a “destructive and pivotal attack“ on federal forces in the near future.
The 20 minute speech was delivered in the Chechen language (but later repeated in Russian), and aired in the night from February 2 to February 3 in the Vedensky and Nozhai-Yurtovsky districts. However, the Joint Troops Group in Northern Caucasus denied that Maskhadov made such appearance. Alexandr Starunsky, Deputy Commander of the Joint Troops Group, said that in certain parts of Chechnya, mainly in the Vedensky and Nozhai-Yurtovsky districts, Maskhadov’s messengers distributed video tapes of his address to field commanders and the local population. On February 25, Chechen sources reported that he again appeared on TV several days later, this time in the Shalinsky, Achkhoi-Martanovsky and Urus-Martanovsky districts, using mobile transmitters.
February 4
Speaking at the Fifth Russian Conference called “The Global Information Society and Russia’s Information Security,“ Vladislav Sherstyuk, deputy secretary of the Russian Security Council, asserted that the threat of terrorist attacks on information structures „became real“. He is of the opinion that information technology can neither change human nature nor laws of social development----it can only be used for the good of mankind, or against it.
Reports emerged that one of Internet sites containing the name of Maskhadov features pornography. Russian sources concluded that “Akhmed Zakayev and Anzor, Maskhadov’s son, wanted to use pornography as part of a jihad, and to use the income from this for starting up a family business.“
February 6
The information agency Prague Watchdog now has a full-fledged Russian language version of its site. They are an on-line service that collects and disseminates information on the conflict in Chechnya, focusing on human rights, humanitarian assistance, media access and coverage, and the local political situation. Prague Watchdog also published material on the constitutional referendum in Chechnya on March 23.
February 7-13
Alvidas Vytkauskas, chief executive officer of the Lithuanian Internet Company, “Microlink Data,“ said that his company provides services for the Chechen separatist site, “Kavkaz-Center.“ According to him, Chechens have been using his service for two weeks now, at a cost of $1,400 a month, and he sees no reason why his company shouldn‘t do it as, “information printed on the site does not break Lithuanian law.“ Vytautas Makauskas, press agent for the Security Department of Lithuania, insisted that Kavkaz-Center does not advocate terrorism and, therefore, presents no danger to his country.
On February 8, Alexandr Yakovenko, representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, reported that Russians had been monitoring the activities of the Chechen site in Lithuania; and after a few days told the authorities to shut it down. The Ministry stated that “inaction of Lithuanian authorities concerning Chechen separatists creates an unwelcome background for developing bilateral relations.“ As a result, Vilnius asked Russia to tighten security at the Lithuanian Embassy in Moscow.
On February 13, Aminat Sayeva, a journalist on another separatist site, “Chechenpress“ (and who represents Aslan Maskhadov in Lithuania), received Lithuanian citizenship from President Adamkus who awarded her for “value given to the Republic.“ Their Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that her presence is not diplomatic but a social and private one, arranged by Algirdas Endryukaitis, a former MP, and now chairman of an international group of parliamentarians who support the Chechen Republic.
February 9
The electoral commission of Chechnya compiled a list of Chechen media who were allowed free broadcast time and press space for referendum discussions. The list includes the Chechen State Television and Radio Company (a subsidiary of the Russian State Television and Radion Company); the newspapers, Vyesti respubliky, Daymokhk, Vozrozhdyeniye Chechny, and Molodyozhnaya smena, as well as regional dailies, Marsho, Zama, Gums, and Terskaya pravda, and Grozny’s Stolitsa-plus.
February 9
An article entitled, “People in Mountain Villages Would Also Like to Read Newspapers,“ appeared in the Chechen paper “Vozrozhdeniye Chechny.“ The writer noted that people living in towns and villages in Chechen plains can regularly read all newspapers and watch TV, while those in the mountains cannot due to reasons beyond their control, i.e., electrical blackouts, and/or the many checkpoints along the way. The article claims that for the past 10 years, periodicals rarely reached the people of Vedensky and Nozhai-Yurtovsky districts.
February 10
Chechen separatist sources reported the first issue of the „Kavkaz-Center. Facts, Analysis, and Commentaries“ journal has been published, in which material from the Kavkaz-Center internet site is included.
February 11
An expanded session of the Russian Parliamentary Commission on Chechnya took place in Moscow and was attended by officials of the Chechen government and social organisations. Minister Ilyasov, one of the attendees, dismissed media reports that refugees living in Ingushetia had been forced to return to Chechnya.
February 12
The same day as President Putin arrived in France, the influential daily, Le Monde, published an article “Russian Army holds on to Chechnya by Means of Terror and Torture.“ It stated that: “Occupation of this Territory by the Russian Army is Maintained by Violence Against Peaceful Civilians.“ According to a statement by “Memorial,“ a Russian human rights organisation, deaths number in the thousands, and torture is systematically carried out on Russian military bases.“ Le Monde also writes: “The Russian army continues its policy of aggression and human rights violations against Chechen citizens. Russian soldiers now practice new ways of venting their rage: killing one or more Chechens by explosives or water torture (keeping prisoners in a pit filled with ice-cold water). The army heavily surpresses the local population by allowing soldiers to pillage houses, and to trade in contraband oil.“
February 13
In the Chechen refugee camp, “Bart,“ near Karabulak in Ingushetia, two Chechen journalists were detained, namely correspondent from the Chechen desk of the Radio Liberty Aslanbek Dadayev and correspondent from Agence France Press Ali Astamirov. According to eye-witnesses, they were awaiting the arrival of the Council of Europe‘s Human Rights Commissioner, Alvaro Gil-Robles, when they were forcefully thrown in a car and driven away. They were released after one hour of interrogation by the staff of the local department of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
According to the two men, FSB‘s action was inspired by the fact that they did not have proper credentials. The following day they were interrogated in the headquarters of the Ingushetian FSB.
The journalists claimed that the arrival of Alvaro Gil-Robles fostered stronger security measures, which is probably why Musa Saydulaev, photo-correspondent of the Associated Press, was subjected to a half-hour document check when entering the Ingushetian government building.
February 13
The radiostation, „Chechnya Svobodnaya“, began broadcasting information about the referendum’s preparation for March 23. Each day they aired a program called “Towards the Referendum,“ that contained speeches of the Russian Central Electoral Commission, the Chechen Electoral Commission, and interviews with local election workers, along with opinions on the referendum by Russian and foreign public officials. The radio also began a series entitled “What we will be voting for,“ in which well-known Chechen lawyers explained the constitution and legislation, and commented on electing a president and parliament.
February 14
The command of the federal forces in Chechnya announced that they prevented resistance fighters from blowing up a TV tower in Gudermes, prior to the referendum. A Chechen guerilla fighter was arrested in the Gudermesky district and told them the explosion was planned to occur 450 meters from the TV tower.
February 16
Radio station Svoboda announced that according to the Chechen Interior Ministry, members of the armed forces and local administration staff are forbidden to contact journalists, human rights activists and representatives of political and humanitarian organizations. According to their source, violating this restriction on the eve of the referendum may result in their dismissal since these people are considered “supporters of the Chechen armed brigades.”
February 16
Chechen journalist Zalid Ayubov was arrested by Russian soldiers in Grozny while gathering material on night patrols in the city. The forty-year-old correspondent of the Vozrozhdeniye Chechni newspaper, despite producing accreditation and a Grozny residency permit, was subjected to all-night beatings by soldiers from the No.2 Investigation Bureau of the Leninski district and suffered serious injuries, He was released in the morning and subsequently reported the matter to the Prosecutor´s Office in Grozny.
February 17 - 27
Newspaper publishing in Chechnya was temporarily halted due to lack of paper and printing plates. According to director Vakha Idrisov of Nadterechnaya Typography, where all Chechen papers are printed, they were unable to buy these materials due to a lack of funds. And Akhmed Bakanayev, director of the Groznensky Rabochiy publishing company, said he did not even have money to pay his workers. However, on February 27, money was transferred to Nadterechnaya Typography and Idrisov announced that Chechen dailies would be on the newsstands as soon as possible.
February 19
A photo exhibit, “Chechnya. International Terrorism, A Thorny Path to Peace” opened at the Russian Consulate in New York. At the opening, Abdul-Khakim Sultygov, President Putin’s special representative for securing human rights and freedoms in Chechnya, said the exhibit was intended to erase stereotypical thinking about the Chechen problem that exists in the West. “For the very first time, this exhibit details the Chechen drama that has been unfolding since 1991, when extremists forcibly halted the constitutional process in Chechnya and overthrew legal state bodies.”
February 20
A new Grozny TV and radio channel, founded by the Chechen Press Ministry, began broadcasting throughout Chechnya. The channel operates 12 hours a day and its first broadcast was devoted to the referendum planned for March 23. According to director Magomed-Emin Magomadov, the channel will also include three radio stations that will broadcast 24 hours a day in both Chechen and Russian. The stations will be VIS and Vostok, which will resume broadcasting, plus one other new station.
February 24
President Zyazikov of Ingushetia met with members of the Chechen Press Ministry and journalists in Magas. The delegation was led by the Minister of Chechen Administration Beslan Gantamirov who welcomed them with: ”Had famous foreign journalists come to visit today I would not be as pleased as I am with your arrival.” Zyazikov and Gantamirov agreed to exchange journalists, and two vacancies will be reserved for Chechen journalists at the Press Ministry and on Ingush TV.
February 25
The 12th part of the “Book of Memory” was concluded in the Tambovskaya region and contains 111 war stories and vignettes of all those who died in action in the Chechen Republic. The best journalists from regional and district papers, as well as journalism students from the Derzhavinski State University, contributed to the book. According to Valeri Ageyev, president of the organizing committee, the main problem they had was that since these events are still quite recent, many people refused to talk about the members of their families who had been killed.
February 27
On the eve of the referendum, the human rights group “Memorial” published monitoring results from the Chechen press. Memorial analyzed selections from the following publications: Zama, Molodyozhnaya Smena, Stolitsa, Vozrozhdeniye Chechni, Daymokhk, Terskaya Pravda, Gums, and Vozrozhdeniye Respubliki, and reached the following conclusions: According to Article 23 of “Provision for carrying out the referendum in the Republic of Chechnya,” signed by the President of the Russian Federation on December 12, 2002, campaigning for the referendum is aimed at people who are either for or against the referendum, or those supporting or refusing to support it. Yet, claim human rights activists, the headlines and contents of editorials in some newspapers violate this article’s provision. Memorial notes that media analysis, allowing for a conclusion and assessment of questions asked at the referendum, is missing.
They further state that the referendum would not be jeopardized if people were allowed to voice their opinions, even though they differed from official ones. But this is virtually impossible judging from the way opponents are designated in the press----everyone against the referendum is labeled to be anti-peace and anti-stability, and thus an enemy of the nation.
February 27
The Internet news agency Chechenpress, affiliated with Aslan Maskhadov, quoted the Russian Yabloko party as saying that “curtailment of Russian media’s freedom is being tightened like a steel drum.” The latest developments in the Novye Novosti newspaper gave the Russian party a reason to state that freedom of press in Russia was being threatened. Chechenpress also pointed out that Russian officials have warned the Zavtra paper against spreading extremist materials in the media. This was based on an interview that the Zavtra reporter Aleksandr Prokhanov conducted with Aslan Maskhadov’s envoy Akhmed Zakayev.
February 28
The Georgian newspaper 24 saati (“24 Hours“) published photos of Chechen field commander Ruslan Gelayev proving that in 2001 he was in Georgia, first in the Pankinsski gorge and later in Kodorski. The pictures were taken by Kosuke Tsuneoka, a Japanese journalist who was the only one permitted to spend time with Gelayev´s unit in those gorges. The paper carried his allegations that, along with Georgians, the U.S. and NATO were also interested in the transfer of Gelayev´s unit from Pankinsski to Kodorski in July 2001. Tsuneoka confirmed that in the summer of 2001 there were some 600 soldiers in the Pankinsski gorge.
February 28
At the Russian Central Election Committee in Moscow in a session dealing with the referendum, Chechen Prime Minister Anatoli Popov said that resistance fighters were attempting to advise citizens against taking part in the referendum. He described these actions as “persistent and offensive,” and added that the Chechen administration launched its campaign in reaction to the attempts of minimizing turnouts at the polls. “We have never forgotten that so-called counter campaigning is necessary,” Popov remarked.
February 28
Vladislav Surkov, deputy chief of the Russian Presidential Administration, and Sergey Yastrzhembski, President Putin’s aide on Chechnya, arrived in Chechnya where they met with Chechen ministers, leaders of local administrations and the media. And Yastrzhembski also arranged a special meeting with Chechen journalists. Speaking on the preparation of the referendum, Surkov criticized the lack of local initiative, saying he had passed through several towns and villages in the republic but had seen no persuasive campaign even though “everyone was talking about hundreds of printed posters.”
Yastrzhembski emphasized “the crucial role of the media before and after the referendum.” According to him, all campaigning possibilities have not yet been exhausted and that its organization must not be traditional; and he promised that each of the departments of the Chechen Press Ministry would receive computer technology. He also suggested that a group of Chechen journalists, one from each department of the Press Ministry, visit settlements in the Vologodskaya, Ryazanskaya and Pskovskaya regions where soldiers were imprisoned for crimes committed against Chechens. He assured the journalists that the trip would enable them to “become better acquainted with how suppressive actions of federal forces against Chechen citizens are being handled.”
Compiled by Ilya Maksakov. Based on material from the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations, CJES expert on Chechnya and Ingushetia Tamerlan Aliyev; news agencies Interfax, ITAR-TASS, RIA Novosti, Prima; newpapers: Kommersant, Obshchaya Gazeta, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Novaya Gazeta; radio stations: Echo Moskvy and Svoboda; and Internet publications Strana.ru, Regiony.ru, Chechenpress, and Kavkazski Vestnik.
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