Resolution 1201 (1999)

Conflict in Chechnya

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - See Doc. 8585, report of the Political Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mr Muehlemann. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 4 November 1999.

1. The Parliamentary Assembly deplores the fact that the 1996 cease-fire has not led to a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Chechnya and that an armed conflict has been launched again.

2. The Assembly condemns all terrorist acts inside and outside of Chechnya, human rights violations resulting from implementation of the Sharia as well as abductions. It requests that the guilty persons be prosecuted and that all hostages currently detained be immediately liberated.

3. It launches an appeal to the Russian authorities to avoid military raids against the civil population and to introduce a cease-fire.

4. The Assembly expects from both parties that after introducing the cease-fire they embark upon an active phase of reconstruction and initiate a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

5. The Assembly supports all efforts aiming at restoring the rule of law and respect for democratic principles in Chechnya.

6. It appeals to the Russian authorities and representatives of international humanitarian organisations to enable humanitarian aid to reach the victims, including refugees and displaced persons. Moreover, it asks the Russian authorities to keep open the border between Chechnya and Ingushetia.

7. The Assembly recognises the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, whilst demanding from this state, a member of the Council of Europe, that it abstain from any human rights violations.

8. The Assembly expresses the hope that the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and its Mission in Moscow will be able to regain their authority to influence events in Chechnya.

9. The Assembly is willing to actively support all efforts aiming at peaceful dialogue between the Russian authorities and democratically elected President Maskhadov.

10. The Assembly expects from all political and military bodies that they take all possible steps to enable de-escalation of the conflict, so that peace is finally restored in the Northern Caucasus.