CHECHNYA LINKS LIBRARY

The Week in Brief: April 15-21, 2002

Summary of the main news related to the conflict in Chechnya. Compiled by Prague Watchdog.

Monday, April 15

Human Rights Watch (HWR) said that persons in Chechnya continue to "disappear" in the custody of Russian forces. HRW's 49-page report "Last Seen…: Continued "Disappearances" in Chechnya" details 87 cases of "disappearances", which occurred between September 2000 and January 2002.

Tuesday, April 16

No major events.

Wednesday, April 17

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with representatives of Chechen diaspora, which focused especially on the restoration of the Chechen economy.

Thursday, April 18

A total of 21 Chechen OMON policemen were killed in two consecutive mine blasts in the Staropromyslovski district of Grozny.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in his state-of-the-nation address reiterated that "the military stage of the 'anti-terrorist operation' in Chechnya is over".

Friday, April 19

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights turned down a resolution condemning Russian operations in Chechnya. The resolution, which was drafted by the EU countries, received 15 votes in favour, 16 against, and 22 abstentions.

Referring to a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and representatives of the Chechen diaspora in Moscow, Chechen businessman Malik Saydulayev said that the Kremlin has given up the idea of political talks with Chechen resistance.

Saturday, April 20

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), Walter Schwimmer, and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov agreed to extend the mandate of CoE experts in Chechnya after July 4.

Sunday, April 21

Lithuanian supporters of Chechnya's independence held a meeting in Vilnius to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the death of the first Chechen President Jokhar Dudayev and to condemn Russia's current operations in Chechnya.