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Doc. 8944
23 January 2001
Humanitarian situation of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Chechnya
Report
Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography
Rapporteur: Mr Tadeusz Iwiński, Poland, Socialist Group
Summary
The aim of the report based on the findings of the visit to Moscow and the North Caucasus as well as on the updated information provided by international organisations involved in humanitarian action in the region, is to examine the humanitarian situation of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Chechnya, and to assess to what extent previous recommendations of the Assembly in this field have been fulfilled.
Today, nearly 200 000 people still remain displaced in neighbouring republics. The majority live in very poor conditions. Although some progress can be observed in the areas of basic education of displaced children and a medical care, the overall humanitarian situation continues to be extremely precarious.
The Rapporteur recommends a number of measures aiming at the increase of international presence in Chechnya, minimising bureaucratic obstacles hampering humanitarian assistance and concerning the prospects for return of IDPs and refugees.
1. Draft recommendation
1. The Assembly refers to its Recommendation ….. (2001).
2. The Assembly stresses the importance of humanitarian aspects of the conflict in Chechnya which in no case should be overshadowed by political questions. In particular, the Assembly notes with concern that the situation of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region remains very precarious. Approximately 178 000 IDPs from Chechnya are staying in Ingushetia and further 100 000 are accommodated in other neighbouring regions.
3. Although some progress can be observed in the fields of basic education of displaced children and a medical care, the overall situation is unsatisfactory. There is dramatic shortage of medicines, winter clothing and shoes, milk products for children, hygienic products and sanitation facilities. A number of displaced people still live in railway carriages in appalling and unacceptable conditions.
4. The Assembly notes that according to the authorities by mid-December all IDP camps in Ingushetia and Chechnya have been provided with heating and gas, and that by April 2001 all people accommodated in trains will be transferred to public buildings.
5. Relatively little international assistance is focused on Chechnya as compared to Ingushetia. The recent decision by the United Nations Designated Official for Security in the Russian Federation to suspend its aid operation in Chechnya following the kidnapping of a Médecins Sans Frontières staff member will further deteriorate the humanitarian situation. The Russian authorities should ensure the security of the humanitarian staff and remove artificial bureaucratic obstacles which may hamper the humanitarian action in the Chechen territory.
6. The Assembly encourages the international humanitarian agencies to increase their presence in Chechnya and to co-operate, whenever possible, with local humanitarian organizations.
7. It is necessary to create the conditions for the return of refugees in security and dignity by the re-establishment of the socio-economic infrastructure and financial and material support for those wishing to return and reconstruct their houses.
8. The Assembly recommends that the Committee of Ministers
i. urge the Russian authorities:
concerning humanitarian assistance:
a. to ensure that the recent restructuring of the federal administration and transfer of competence regarding internally displaced persons (IDP) camps will not influence the efficiency of humanitarian assistance;
b. to minimise bureaucratic obstacles which may have considerable impact on the quality of humanitarian assistance, and in particular to simplify regulations concerning access for humanitarian agencies to the Chechen republic;
c. to guarantee safety of staff working in these agencies;
d. to allow radio communications using non-licensed frequencies in the field;
e. to lift, without any delay, VAT in any form, on all humanitarian goods irrespective of their origin;
f. to reduce considerably the number of checkpoints in the Chechen territory, and combat in more effective way the bribery at checkpoints and borders with neighbouring republics;
g. to make sure that the introduction of visas between the Russian Federation and Georgia will not affect the freedom of movement between Chechnya and Georgia;
h. to improve the management of relief aid in order to re-target it from Ingushetia to Chechnya;
i. to transfer , no later than by April 2001, all IDPs accommodated in trains to public buildings;
j. to improve the quality of food distributed among IDPs, and, in particular, as a matter of urgency, to provide at least children with milk products and vegetables;
k. to provide IDP camps with adequate medicines and to ensure that IDPs have free access to specialised medical services which is not the case at present;
l. to distribute toiletries bearing in mind that extremely poor hygienic conditions may have disastrous consequences for health;
m. to provide IDPs with more mattresses, sheets, blankets, clothing and footwear;
n. to allow for registered Chechen IDPs in Ingushetia to collect their pensions on the spot without having to go to Chechnya;
o. to channel humanitarian relief to host families accommodating IDPs
Concerning future reconstruction and repatriation
p. to set up a legal basis for compensation for lost property;
q. to consider joining the Council of Europe Development Bank with a view to benefiting from the financial opportunities offered by it for the reconstruction of Chechnya;
r. to elaborate and implement a long-term reconstruction plan for Chechnya and in particular for Grozny, in co-operation with relevant finance institutions and international organisations;
s. to assure accountability of war criminals, whose persecution is one of the preconditions for the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in safety and security.
ii. call on the international community:
a. to increase the international presence in Chechnya;
b. to rely, whenever possible, on local humanitarian agencies;
c. to co-operate with the local Chechen administration;
d. to step up assistance to IDPs in the Chechen republic;
e. to provide IDPs with daily products and food for children as well as medicines;
f. to contribute to the elaboration of a long-term reconstruction plan for Chechnya;
g. to step up financial aid;
iii. call on the United Nations Designated Official for Security in the Russian Federation to review its decision on the suspension of its aid operation in Chechnya;
iv. call on the Council of Europe Development Bank to examine ways in which it could contribute to a long-term reconstruction plan for Chechnya;
v. call on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe to examine the possibilities of supporting Chechen refugees and displaced persons through partnership between European towns and the municipalities in the Northern Caucasus hosting refugees and IDPs, along the lines elaborated during the Kosovo crisis.
2. Explanatory memorandum by the Rapporteur
A. Introduction
1. The primary aim of this report is to examine the humanitarian situation of refugees and displaced persons from Chechnya, and to assess to what extent previous recommendations of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography, set out in the Opinions on the reports by the Political Affairs Committee on the conflict in Chechnya (Docs 8632 and 8706) presented to the Assembly during the plenary sessions in January and April 2000, have been fulfilled.
2. The report is based on the findings of the visit to Moscow and the North Caucasus carried out by the Committee's delegation, headed by the Rapporteur, on 20-24 November 2000 (see Programme attached). Moreover it takes into account the updated information provided by international organisations involved in humanitarian action in the region, in particular by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
B. An overview of the humanitarian situation in the region
i. Population displacement
3. Before the outbreak of the recent conflict, the population of Chechnya amounted to approximately 797 000 people including the population of Grozny of about 400 0001. At present, the number of people staying on the whole territory of the Chechen Republic is estimated at about 500-550 000 (including 10-20 000 persons of Russian origin). Of this figure, approximately 230 000 are displaced within the republic (11 800 of them in camps). According to the Russian authorities, about 100 000 people have returned to Grozny.
4. According to an UNHCR/DRC update, 178 000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Chechnya are still staying in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia2. Of this figure, 152 000 fled the recent conflict, the remainder has been displaced since the previous war. Minors make up 45% of this figure. According to the Ministry of Emergencies (EMERCOM) the IDPs in Ingushetia amount to 142 149. The discrepancy between the two figures is most likely due to the fact that UNHCR/DRC might have registered some IDPs residing on the Chechen side of the border and travelling to Ingushetia to collect food. However, to any of these figures one should add an additional few thousand IDPs who are not registered. It should be noted that the population of Ingushetia amounts to 300 000 people.
5. Other neighbouring regions, namely the Republic of North Ossetia-Alanya, the Republic of Dagestan and the Stavropol region accommodate in total approximately 10 000 people displaced after the recent conflict. However, certain areas have been accommodating large numbers of Chechen IDPs since 1992. According to the Russian official figures, as many as 300 000 ethnic Russians have left the Chechen Republic since 1992. For example, in the Stavropol region alone, the number amounts to 76 000 people. The delegation visited some settlements of Russian IDPs from Chechnya in the area of Budennovsk constructed with the assistance of local communities. The Orthodox Church has largely
contributed to this integration. Undoubtedly, living conditions in these settlements are much better than those in IDP camps and the majority of IDPs have been successfully integrated into the local communities. Many of them have found employment.
6. Some movement of the population may be continuously observed. Over the last weeks there has been a small increase in the number of IDP arrivals in Ingushetia. It is estimated that approximately 1 000 arrived in Ingushetia in October. This movement seems to be largely due to the ongoing UNHCR/DCR re-registration exercise to update the list of those eligible to humanitarian aid distribution in Ingushetia. Also, some IDPs are arriving in Ingushetia due to continued fighting and military screening operations, as well as lack of winterised shelters in Chechnya. New arrivals come mostly from Grozny, where living conditions are increasingly difficult with winter approaching.
7. At the same time some returns are taking place. In October an estimated 350 persons returned to the Chechen Republic, mainly to Grozny, Achkhoi-Martan and Urus-Martan.
8. The IDPs report extensive harassment and extortion at checkpoints throughout the Chechen Republic.
ii. Living conditions, health and education
9. The majority of IDPs in Ingushetia and Chechnya (69%) are staying with host families. Approximately 18% are living in spontaneous settlements, 8% in tent camps, and 5% (8 000 persons) in rail cars.
10. Sanitary conditions in makeshift shelters and tented camps are very difficult, resulting in the continual threat of epidemics, in particular, of tuberculosis and hepatitis. There are frequent interruptions in electricity supply. In view of the forthcoming winter adequate heating becomes a primary concern.
11. The situation in private accommodation (host families) is also very difficult. In Ingushetia it is common to expect IDPs to pay for their accommodation. Some humanitarian relief is channelled to host families (see below), however it is far from enough.
12. The overall health situation is very poor, and there is a dramatic shortage of medicines. In IDP camps, the delegation met sick people, in particular, children who have not undergone any treatment. Reportedly, IDPs are systematically asked to pay to receive specialised medical services which in principle should be free of charge. However, compared to the earlier disastrous situation, certain progress can be observed. The majority of IDPs have access to basic medical care which was not the case a few months ago. The skills of IDPs having medical education are widely used in camps. Moreover, according to the information provided by the Russian authorities, 52 hospitals, including 8 in Grozny, have been re-opened in Chechnya.
13. Similarly, in the field of basic education for IDP children certain progress may be observed. In principle, all children have access to basic schooling. However, the delegation met children unable to attend the classes because of the lack of proper clothing and shoes. There is also a shortage of essential school supplies, in particular books. UNICEF seeks to improve this situation. The Russian authorities informed the delegation that 448 schools, including 3 colleges, have been opened in Chechnya.
14. In general, the living conditions for IDPs within Chechnya are much poorer than Ingushetia, with little international assistance being provided. The delegation visited 3 camps: Sernovodsk railway camp, Sernovodsk collective centre (each of them accommodating approximately 2 000 people), and Severny tent camp in Znamenskoye accommodating approximately 2 500 people. In the latter one new winterised tents equipped with wooden floor, gas and electricity connections have been recently constructed, and the living conditions are relatively good. The situation is far poorer in both camps in Sernovodsk. The camps are overcrowded, heating is inadequate, and sanitation facilities need urgent improvement. There is a dramatic shortage of mattresses, sheets, blankets, clothing and footwear; people do not receive toiletries at all. In all the camps visited food is very poor. Milk products and vegetables are not distributed at all, not even to children.
15. Living conditions in rail cars are unacceptable. There are 47 rail cars in Sernovodsk, without sufficient heating and appropriate sanitation facilities, giving rise to contagious diseases. According to the authorities, out of the 8 000 people accommodated in trains, 6 000 will be transferred to public buildings before the end of December. Another 2 000, including the IDPs from Sernovodsk will have to wait for the refurbishment of a suitable building, foreseen for April 2001.
16. In mid-November a new-tented camp, located next to the Severny rail car camp in Ingushetia, was constructed jointly by UNHCR and the Ingush EMERCOM. It will accommodate a total of 12 000. The first 4 000 from the rail car camp are supposed to move in shortly.
17. Efforts are made to make sure that spontaneous settlements are also winterised. UNHCR, in co-operation with local authorities, has established a list of 55 spontaneous settlements in Ingushetia accommodating approximately 17 500 IDPs scheduled for winterising. The IDPs living in other spontaneous settlements unsuitable for winterisation will be transferred to seven new settlements.
18. The Russian authorities, in particular Mr Khristenko, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Government and Mr Blokhin, Minister of Federal Affairs, National and Migration Policy (who accompanied the delegation during the visit to the North Caucasus), assured the delegation that by mid-December all IDP camps in Ingushetia and Chechnya will be provided with heating and gas. The Government has allotted 26 million rubles (approximately 1 million dollars) in the 2000 budget for the preparation of camps for winter.
19. The delegation was informed that following its visit, the camp in the Sernovodsk technical school received a supply of 300 mattresses and warm clothing from the reserves of the Ingush EMERCOM.
iii. Humanitarian assistance
20. Clearly Ingushetia is a more privileged target for the distribution of humanitarian assistance than the Chechen Republic. There is a general feeling that too much assistance including the supply of relief aid and shelter materials pours into Ingushetia compared with Chechnya. According to Minister Blokhin only approximately 20% of the amount of international aid is sent to Chechnya (60% to Ingushetia and 19% to Dagestan).
21. The recent United Nation's decision to suspend its aid operation in Chechnya until further notice following the reported kidnapping of the Head of Médecins Sans Frontières (Holland) in North Caucasus on 9 January 2001 will undoubtedly result in the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation. The Rapporteur is of the opinion that this is the responsibility of the Russian authorities to ensure the security of the humanitarian staff.
22. One of the main concerns is to provide all IDPs with winterised accommodation. It seems that by mid-December all IDP camps will be winterised. The Russian ministries concerned, UN agencies, ICRC and NGOs are continuing to provide emergency food rations, medicines, warm clothing, water and sanitation. A number of programmes focused on education, income generation and psychosocial rehabilitation have started.
23. However, as mentioned above, there is a dramatic shortage of medicines, winter clothing and footwear. In particular, the lack of milk products and vegetables, at least for children, may prove to be dramatically detrimental to their health.
24. On 11 October the Government of the Russian Federation decided to allocate an additional 50 million rubles (approximately 2 million dollars) from the reserve fund for IDPs from Chechnya staying at temporary locations in Ingushetia and Chechnya.
25. International NGOs should be encouraged to operate in the territory of the Chechen Republic. They should be granted free access by ensuring the security of their staff and by minimizing bureaucratic obstacles.
26. It is imperative to ensure continued support to IDPs from host families in Ingushetia. Host family food assistance from UNHCR, and the ongoing compensation programme from Swiss Disaster Relief/UNHCR are expected to contribute in this regard.
iv. Prospects for return
27. The security situation in the Chechen Republic still remains very precarious. According to reports, small-scale fighting and attacks as well as the « mine war » continue throughout Chechnya. Almost every day there are reports of victims, both among Russian servicemen and the civilian population, as a result of explosions of mines or bombs planted on the roads, in the vehicles etc. and elsewhere. UNHCR and UNICEF along with their implementing partners have initiated mine awareness programme both in Chechnya and in Ingushetia.
28. The human rights situation in Chechnya remains a matter of concern. Cases of human rights abuses continue to be reported, which obviously hampers the prospects for massive returns.
29. Strictly related to the security question is the need for investigations of and accountability for reported abuses. This is one of the preconditions for IDPs to feel safe to return to their homes. The delegation met Mr Vladimir Kalamanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Chechen Republic and two of the three Council of Europe experts working in his Office. The Rapporteur considers that Mr Kalamanov's Office substantially contributes to the re-establishment of the judiciary and the respect of human rights. In particular, the work of the Office is instrumental in collecting documentation on human rights violations. The Office has received over 4 000 written complaints. On 27 November 2000 Mr Kalamanov announced the outcome of investigations concerning 455 missing people. However, the delegation noted that as yet very little follow-up action to the complaints registered has been initiated by the Russian authorities.
30. Another major obstacle for return is the destroyed infrastructure and lack of housing. According to Mr M.Syltygov, the Chief Federal inspector of the Southern District for Ingushetia, 21 493 houses in Chechnya were totally, and approximately 23000 partially, destroyed.3 In some areas (e.g. in Grozny) nearly all buildings have been destroyed. There is un urgent need for construction materials.
31. According to Minister Blokhin, the Russian Federal Government has allocated 7.5 billion rubles (288 million dollars) to rebuild the houses destroyed in Chechnya. However, according to the independent estimates the reconstruction of Grozny alone would require a few billion dollars.
32. The Governmental Commission, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Khristenko, has drawn up a programme, over a period of 2-4 years, designed to help the economic recovery of Chechnya and its integration into Russia's economy. Its implementation would require some 50 billion rubles (2 billion dollars). It is foreseeable that 4.5 billion rubles (173 million dollars) could be earmarked for that programme in the 2001 federal budget. One of the programme's priorities is restoring the road system in Chechnya.
33. On 1 January 2001 the process of withdrawal of the Russian Federal troops is announced to start. There are plans to move the administration centre from Gudermes to Grozny. Some reconstruction in the city is being underway but it is hampered by security concerns.
C. Former recommendations of the Committee4
i. Minimise bureaucratic obstacles
34. It seems that bureaucratic obstacles constitute, along with the inadequate security, the main reason for the almost total absence of international humanitarian assistance in the Chechen Republic. It is true that poor security situation requires strict security rules. This should not, however, be used by the Russian authorities as an excuse to create unnecessary bureaucratic procedures, as often seems to be the case. This question was raised by the delegation during the meeting with Mr Kazantsev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District.
35. Unfortunately, new regulations issued at the end of September have made the transport of relief aid to Chechnya more complicated. Transit permits are issued by the Chechnya central administration and the Russian army. Radio communications in the field, vital for the security of humanitarian organisations' staff are still subject to severe restrictions and to obtaining a licence which requires a complicated procedure. The length of bureaucratic procedures have delayed and, in some cases, cancelled the transport of food, medicine and other materials to the Chechen population.
36. During the meeting with the delegation, Mr Kalamanov accused some humanitarian organisations of refusing to co-operate with the local Chechen administration and pointed out that humanitarian assistance should be controlled by the administration.
37. According to the information received from some humanitarian agencies, the recent restructuring of the federal administration and transfer of competence regarding IDP camps from EMERCOM to the Ministry for the Federation and Minorities as from 1 October 2000 seem to have contributed to this unsatisfactory situation. The Russian authorities admit that the restructuring might have caused some momentary bureaucratic confusion but they have confidence in the advantages of the new structure in a long run.
ii. Lift taxes and customs duties on humanitarian goods
38. Following the Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and EMERCOM, customs duties on humanitarian goods have been lifted. However, as far as taxes are concerned, in particular VAT imposed on humanitarian goods, the problem has not been resolved in a satisfactory way. Although goods purchased through the specialised Russian humanitarian agency are indeed exempt from VAT, the prices asked by the Agency are much higher than those on the free market. The Russian authorities assure that the relevant regulations are about to be adopted but so far the problem persists.
iii. Access to Chechnya for all humanitarian agencies wishing to operate in the region
39. There is no formal ban on humanitarian agencies operating in the Chechen Republic but bureaucratic obstacles referred to in the previous chapter hamper their action in a considerably.
40. The focus of the humanitarian assistance should be shifted from Ingushetia to Chechnya and to this end the security of staff should be guaranteed. The Russian and the Chechen authorities have assured that they are ready to assist and escort any international convoys with aid to Chechnya.
iv. Keep all borders open
41. Bribery is reportedly widespread at checkpoints in the Chechen territory and borders with neighbouring republics. Mr Kalamanov's office is aware of the problem but its investigation is rendered more difficult by the fact that only a few people are willing to file complaint in writing.
42. The Russian authorities have announced recently the decision on introduction of visas at the Chechen-Georgian border as from 5 December 2000 in order to improve the control of terrorists' movements. This action may have a negative effect on the population movements and the Rapporteur hopes that the authorities will review it.
v. Registration of all IDPs who arrived in Ingushetia after 1 March 2000
43. The registration has been carried out by UNHCR/DRC.
44. At present, Russian identity cards are being issued. According to the Russian authorities only 18 000-20 000 IDPs in Ingushetia have asked for them. It cannot be excluded that some people are afraid of applying because they do not wish to be registered at the Ministry of the Interior.
vi. Refrain from any form of forced or hasty repatriation before the conditions for return in safety and dignity are fulfilled
45. The Russian authorities on many occasions assured the delegation that they do not intend to exert any pressure on IDPs to return and there are no reports of direct forced repatriation.
46. However, some IDPs complain that in order to collect their pensions they have to go to Chechnya even if they are registered in Ingushetia which they feel as a kind of indirect pressure.
vii. Begin elaborating a future long-term reconstruction plan for Chechnya, and in particular, for Grozny, in co-operation with relevant finance institutions and international organisations
47. On 28 November 2000, Mr Vladimir Yelagin was appointed to the new post of Minister for Chechnya's Socio-Economic development. The 2–4 year programme of the economic reconstruction of Chechnya has been drawn up by the Governmental Commission chaired by Deputy Minister Khristenko (see above).
48. According to Interfax, on 28 November 2000, Mr Sergey Stepachin, Head of Accountant's Tribunal, announced the alleged fraud of about 66.5 million rubles (2.4 million dollars) out of 776 million rubles (27.9 million dollars) allocated by the Russian Government for the reconstruction of the Chechen Republic.
49. These measures do not seem to be sufficient in view of the size of the economic destruction of the Republic. The international community should get involved in the elaboration of a long-term reconstruction plan.
viii. Compensation payments for the destroyed houses and property
50. There is no legal basis providing for compensation for destroyed property.
51. The Russian authorities informed the delegation that 2.5 million rubles (100 000 dollars) will be allocated from the budget in 2001 for the compensation for the lost or damaged property.
ix. Independent investigation of war criminals whose prosecution is one of the preconditions for the return of refugees and IDPs in safety and security
52. There is very little follow up action to the complaints registered by Mr Kalamanov's Office (see paragraph 28).
D. Conclusions and recommendations
53. The Rapporteur notes that there has been some progress in the field of basic education for displaced children and in medical care. However, the overall humanitarian situation of IDPs is far from satisfactory and progress in this field cannot be considered as sufficient.
54. The Rapporteur notes with satisfaction that several recommendations made during the parliamentarian hearing on the conflict in Chechnya held at the Duma in September 2000 with the participation of Assembly representatives have been put into effect by the Russian authorities. He also welcomes the action of Mr Tkachev's committee in the Duma aimed at the improvement of the situation of displaced persons.
55. In particular, the following recommendations should be reiterated:
• to the Russian authorities:
- to simplify regulations concerning access for humanitarian agencies to the Chechen Republic;
- to guarantee safety of staff working in these agencies;
- to allow radio communications using non-licensed frequencies in the field;
- to lift, without any delay, VAT on all humanitarian goods irrespective of their origin;
- to review the decision on introducing visas at the border with Georgia;
- to improve the management of relief aid in order to re-target it from Ingushetia to Chechnya;
- to set up a legal basis for compensations for lost or damaged property;
- to consider joining the Council of Europe Development Bank with a view to benefiting from the financial opportunities offered by it for the reconstruction of Chechnya;
• to the international community:
- to increase the international presence in Chechnya;
- to step up assistance to IDPs in the Chechen republic;
- to provide IDPs with milk products, food for children and medicines;
- to contribute to the elaboration of a long-term reconstruction plan for Chechnya;
- to step up financial aid.
PROGRAMME
of the visit of the Delegation5 of the Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography to Moscow and the North Caucasus
Monday 20 November 2000
– Arrival of the delegation, accommodation in the hotel
– Meeting of the Delegation
Tuesday 21 November 2000
– Meeting with Mr Jozef GEORKI, representative of UNHCR in Moscow
– Meeting with Mr A. BLOKHIN, Minister of Federal Affairs, National and Migration Policy
– Meeting with Mr E. GUSAROV, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
– Meeting with Mr. V. KHRISTENKO, Deputy Prime-Minister
– Arrival to Mineralnye Vody
– Meeting with Mr. V. KAZANTSEV, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District
Wednesday 22 November 2000
– Arrival to Sernovodsk (by helicopter)
– Visit to the IDP camps (Sernovodsk Wagon-camp and collective center)
– Arrival to Znamenskoye (by helicopter)
– Meeting with Mr V. KALAMANOV, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Observation of Human Rights and Freedoms in the Chechen Republic and the Council of Europe experts
– Meetings with representatives of the local authorities and humanitarian agencies operating in the region
– Visit of the IDP camp "Severny"
Thursday 23 November 2000
– Departure for Budennovsk (Stavropol Region)
– Visit to IDPs' settlements
– Departure from Mineralnye Vody
– Arrival to Moscow
Friday 24 November 2000
– Press Conference in Interfax Office
– Meeting with Mr Gilbert DUBOIS, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Russia
– Departure of the Delegation
Reporting committee: Committee on Migration, Refugees and Demography.
Budgetary implications for the Assembly: none.
Reference to committee: decision of the Bureau on 14 December 2000.
Draft recommendation unanimously adopted by the committee on 22 January 2001.
Members of the committee: Mr Díaz de Mera (Chairman), Mr Iwiński (1st Vice-Chairman), Mrs Vermot-Mangold (2nd Vice-Chairman), Mr Christodoulides (3rd Vice-Chairman), Mrs Aguiar, MM. Aliev, Amoruso (alternate: Brunetti), Mrs Arnold, Mrs Björnemalm, MM. Brancati, Branger, Mrs Bušić, MM. Chiliman (alternate: Mocioi), Chyzh (alternate: Gaber), Cilevičs, Connor (alternate: Browne), Debarge, Mrs Dumont, Mr Einarsson, Mrs Err, Mrs Fehr, Mrs Frimannsdóttir, MM. Ghiletchi, Hrebenciuc, Ivanov, Jakic, Lord Judd, MM. Koulouris, Kozlowski (alternate: Libicki), Laakso, Lauricella, Liapis, Lippelt, Mrs Lopez-Gonzalez (alternate: Mr Fernandez Aguilar), Mr Luís, Mrs Markovska, MM. Mateju, Melo, Minkov, Moreels, Mularoni, Mutman, Mrs Ninoshvili, MM. Norvoll, Ouzky, Pullicino Orlando (alternate: Debono Grech), Rakhansky, Rogozin (alternate: Mrs Gamzatova), von Schmude, Schweitzer, Slutsky, Mrs Stoisits, MM. Szinyei, Tabajdi, Tahir, Telek, Thönnes, Tkác, Mrs Van Ardenne-Van der Houven, MM. Vanoost, Wilkinson (alternate: Hancock), Wray (alternate: Prosser), Mrs Zwerver.
N.B. The names of those members present at the meeting are printed in italics.
Secretaries of the committee: Mr Dronov, Mrs Nachilo, Mr Adelsbach.
1 The last census was carried out in 1989.
2 Unless indicated otherwise, the figures relating to the displacement of the population come from UNHCR, and are based on a UNHCR-Danish Refugee Council (DRC) joint registration exercise.
3 « Vremya Novostey », 6 October 2000
4 As contained in Docs 8632 and 8706.
5 Mr Diaz de Mera (Spain, EPP/CD), Chairman of the Committee, Mr Iwiński (Poland, SOC), Chairman of the Delegation, Mr Rogozin (Russia, EDG), Mrs Vermot-Mangold (Switzerland, SOC), Mrs Zwerver (Netherlands, SOC), accompanied by Mrs Nachilo, Co-Secretary to the Committee.