Humanitarian situation in Chechnya: Lord Russell-Johnston launches pressing appealStrasbourg, 13.12.2001 - Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly
President Lord Russell-Johnston today made the following statement on the humanitarian situation in Chechnya:
"The Assembly delegation which recently visited Chechnya reported on the alarming conditions in the refugee camps in the area. Winter has barely begun, and the humanitarian situation will inevitably worsen, if nothing is done about it quickly.
The conflict in Chechnya is not over, people continue to die, or live in fear and misery. I therefore appeal to the Russian authorities, but also to all other Council of Europe governments and relevant international agencies, to urgently provide sufficient humanitarian assistance to all those affected by the conflict and to take all necessary measures to guarantee that this assistance is properly distributed.
I also call on the Russian government to continue and accelerate their talks with Chechen representatives, with a view to put an end to hostilities and to reach an agreement on a lasting political solution to the conflict. I believe that "a broad-based consultative council" agreed at the meeting of Chechen representatives held under the aegis of the Assembly/Duma Joint Working Group on 29 November in Strasbourg, could serve to bring this process forward.
For many of the refugees and displaced persons, this will be the third winter in the camps. They urgently need help to live through it, and they need hope that they will be able to return home. The world cannot afford to forget Chechnya, and Chechens do not deserve to be forgotten. They have suffered too much, and they continue to suffer."
Contact: Parliamentary Assembly Communication Unit, Estelle Steiner
Tel : +33/(0)3 88 41 33 35 - Fax : +33/(0)3 90 21 41 34
Email : estelle.steiner@coe.int
Press Release
Council of Europe Press Service
Ref: 954a01
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