Civil and Political Rights - Written NGO Statement to the U.N Commission on Human Rights

Written statement* submitted by the World Organization against Torture, the International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture), le Comité catholique contre la faim et pour le développement (CCFD), non-governmental organizations in special consultative status and Médecins du Monde-International, a non-governmental organization in general consultative status

The Secretary-General has received the following written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.

OMCT, FIACAT, Médecins du Monde, le Comité Catholique Contre la Faim et pour le Développement (in consultative status with ECOSOC), and Secours Catholique / Caritas France, are gravely concerned about the continuing conflict in Chechnya. Over the past decade, the republic of Chechnya has suffered through two wars, both of which were characterised by severe human rights violations perpetrated by Russian armed forces as well as Chechen rebel groups. These abuses continue in the present day. Reports of torture, disappearances, summary executions, rape, forced evictions, and other forms of ill treatment perpetrated by the Russian armed forces are common news in the Chechen Republic. The city of Grozny remains in ruins, with no effort having been made to reconstruct hospitals, apartment buildings, schools, or other fundamental structures.