Doc. 8582

27 October 1999

Conflict in Chechnya

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Bindig and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1. The Assembly, while unreservedly condemning terrorism, is deeply concerned by Russia’s military action in Chechnya . It considers that although the conflict between Chechnya and the central authorities of the Russian Federation is an internal matter, the means employed by these authorities violate Russia’s international obligations, including the commitments entered into upon accession to the Council of Europe.

2. The Assembly condemns the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force by the Russian military, which has reportedly led to hundreds of civilian casualties in Chechnya, as well as being directly responsible for the flight of over 150,000 Chechens to neighbouring republics at last count.

3. Russia is thus found to be violating the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Second Protocol, as well as paragraph 10 vii. of Opinion No. 193 (1996) on Russia’s request for membership of the Council of Europe (« to settle international as well as internal disputes by peaceful means ») and of paragraph 10 xxiv. of the same Opinion (« to respect strictly the provisions of international humanitarian law, including in cases of armed conflict on its territory »).

4. The Assembly reiterates its opinion, already expressed in several opinions and resolutions since 1995, that the Chechen conflict cannot be resolved by the use of force. There will be no peace in the region, nor an end to terrorist attacks, without a political solution based on negotiation and on European democratic values.

5. The Assembly and its committees, in particular its Political Affairs Committee, its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, its Monitoring Committee, and the ad hoc Committee on Chechnya of the Bureau, have tried to promote dialogue between the Federation of Russia and the Chechen authorities, and will continue to do so in the search for a peaceful solution of the conflict.

6. However, the Assembly cannot stand idly by when a member state flagrantly violates its commitments, and the very principles the Council of Europe is founded upon, in particular the respect of human rights and of humanitarian law.

7. The Assembly thus calls on the Russian authorities to immediately cease the attacks on civilian targets in Chechnya, to put an end to the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force, and to return to the negotiating table.

8. The Assembly instructs the committees concerned, in particular its Political Affairs Committee, its Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, its Monitoring Committee, and the ad hoc Committee on Chechnya of the Bureau to follow developments closely and to report at the first appropriate opportunity. Should the Russian Federation disregard this Resolution, and continue its violations of international humanitarian law, and of its obligations and commitments towards the Council of Europe, the Assembly will take the necessary measures to ensure they are honoured, in accordance with Resolution 1115 (1997).

Signed : ¹

Bindig, Germany, SOC

Akçali, Turkey, EDG

Bal, Turkey, EDG

Brand, United Kingdom, LDR

Fayot, Luxembourg, SOC

Jäätteenmäki, Finland, LDR

Jansson, Finland, LDR

Jones, United Kingdom, SOC

Magnusson, Sweden, SOC

Moeller, Denmark, EDG

Speroni, Italy, LDR

Von der Esch, Sweden, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group