– The second phase of the armed conflict in the Chechen Republic, defined by the Russian Federation as a “counter-terrorist operation” has lasted five years. Civilians represent the primary victims of this conflict, and blatant violations of human rights and humanitarian law have been pervasive. The climate of impunity dominates the situation in and around the Chechen Republic, reads an appeal from the International Helsinki Federation to the EU. (17-NOV-04)

Read the appeal: http://www.nhc.no/land/tsjetsjenia/2004/IHF_eurussland.pdf