Joint motion for a resolution - RC-B5-0037/2003Joint motion for a resolution
RC-B5-0037/2003

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

15 January 2003

pursuant to Rule 50(5) of the Rules of Procedure by
replacing the motions by the following groups: on non-prolongation of the OSCE mandate in Chechnya

Procedure : 2003/2507(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
RC-B5-0037/2003
Texts tabled :
RC-B5-0037/2003
Debates :
Votes :
Texts adopted :

European Parliament resolution on non-prolongation of the OSCE mandate in Chechnya

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Chechnya, in particular its realisation of 10 April 2002,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Russia and on the EU-Russia Summits of 28 May and 11 November 2002,

–  having regard to the recent decision of the Russian Government effectively leading to the termination of the OSCE assistance group to Chechnya,

–  having regard to the postponement of its ad hoc delegation visit to Chechnya by letter from the Russian Duma,

A.  whereas the situation in the Chechen Republic remains very tense, in particular after the terrorist attacks on the Russian government building in Grozny and the terrorist attacks on the Moscow theatre,

B.  worried that Chechen rebel forces have increasingly targeted civilians in their guerrilla war against Russian troops,

C.  deeply worried by new rounds of large-scale sweep operations launched by the Russian army and security forces which add to daily massive human rights violations, torture, assassinations, kidnappings, disappearances, arbitrary detention and filtration camps,

D.  disappointed by the acquittal by a Russian court on 31 December 2002 of Colonel Yuri Budanov for the rape and murder of the 18-year-old Chechen woman Elza Kungaeva,

E.  alarmed by the action of the Russian police in Ingushetia who dismantled the Aki Yurt tent camp, expelling Chechen refugees, and keep on putting pressure on people in the five remaining camps by cutting gas and electricity so as to relocate them back in Chechnya,

F.  whereas the Russian Government has announced that there should be a referendum in Chechnya in March, which will be the first step in a process hopefully leading to democratic and fair elections,

G.  whereas there are still no negotiations on a political solution between the Russian and the Chechen side,

H.  having regard to the recent decision of the European Commission to grant € 3 million of humanitarian aid to provide food for victims of the conflict in Chechnya,

I.  pointing out the dramatic humanitarian situation facing Chechnya and the difficulties in

  delivering aid to the population by the few still operating NGOs in the region,

J.  whereas the OSCE mission's original 1995 mandate in Chechnya covered alleged human rights violations, relief aid, help for refugees, conflict resolution and supporting mechanisms for maintaining law and order,

1.  Severely condemns the terrorist attack on the headquarters of the Russian administration in the Chechen capital Grozny, killing at least 55 people and injuring at least 120 and expresses its condolence to the relatives and friends of all victims of the conflict and in particular of the recent two terrorist attacks;

2.  Expresses its deep disappointment about the failure to renew the mandate of the OSCE Assistance Group for Chechnya, which expired on 31 December 2002;

3.  Considers that the OSCE field mission has done very useful work under often very difficult conditions, which was acceptable to all parties and could contribute to reducing instability, insecurity and lawlessness;

4.  Urges the Russian Federation to agree to resume negotiations immediately concerning a renewal of the full OSCE mandate, which should not be restricted to focusing only on coordinating humanitarian assistance in the region;

5.  Regrets the postponement of its ad hoc delegation visit to Chechnya, expresses its hopes that this joint EP-Duma delegation visit to Chechnya will take place in spring 2003 and regrets the denial of access to Chechnya of international representatives;

6.  Reiterates its deep concern about ongoing violence in Chechnya, including the increasing number of terrorist acts by Chechen fighters;

7.  Urges both sides, in this context, to find the way back to the negotiating table as only a political solution can lead to long-lasting peace in the region;

8.  Calls upon Russia to establish a proactive policy towards the prosecution of all citizens, including military personnel, who have committed serious criminal acts in Chechnya and welcomes the fact that State Prosecutor Alexander Derbenyov appealed in respect of the verdict against Colonel Yury Budanov, urging the court to find him guilty of all charges against him;

9.  Welcomes the decision of the European Commission on humanitarian aid for Chechnya; urges Russia to cooperate fully with EC-funded humanitarian aid agencies and other international humanitarian organisations, to grant them access to Chechnya and to facilitate their operating conditions;

10.  Calls on the Russian Government to stop pressuring internally displaced people into returning to Chechnya and to ensure that they continue to enjoy protection and humanitarian assistance in accordance with international law; stresses the need to ensure that repatriation of refugees and IDP takes place exclusively on a voluntary basis; calls, in this regard, on the Commission to send observers to Ingushetia to monitor and report on the situation;

11.  Calls on the Russian Government to pursue maximum efforts to secure the early release of Mr Erkel, a humanitarian MSF worker who remains kidnapped in the region;

12.  Believes that the forthcoming referendum could offer a genuine choice to the Chechen people and that it must be prepared and organised in a democratic and fair way under international monitoring, including the OSCE;

13.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government and Parliament of Russia.