Calling for the EU-Russia summit to address the issue of Chechnya

A.) The European Green Party calls on the Irish Government to use the opportunity of the EU Russia summit, which takes place during the Irish Presidency, to address the ongoing problems in Chechnya including the gross human rights abuses being perpetrated there.

B.) Considers it unacceptable that the matter of Chechnya has been relegated to an internal, domestic matter and calls on the Irish Presidency to prioritise this ongoing conflict as an EU concern.

B. bis (new) Deplores the attitude of the previous Italian EU president-in-office Berlusconi who tried to defend at the November EU-Russia summit the action of Russia towards Chechnya; stresses that any future development of EU Russia partnership must be linked to a clear commitment by Putin to find a political solution to the conflict paving the way for a negotiation process with all the components of the Chechnyan society with the involvement of the international community; 

C.) Accepts that both sides to the conflict commit atrocities, but assert that it is of paramount importance that the EU confronts Russian policy on Chechnya.

D.) Considers that an EU that shies away from insisting that Russia end the blatant impunity for the most serious human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, including possible war crimes, cannot and will not be respected as a credible promoter of reforms aimed at building the rule of law across the Russian Federation. 

E.) Deeply concerned about the continued effects of the so-called "anti-terrorist" crackdown introduced after the tragic events of the Melnikov Theatre hostage crisis of 2002, in particular:

• Pressure on displaced Chechens to return despite serious security risks;

• Harassment of Chechens living in Moscow following the hostage crisis;

• Reports of stepped-up military operations in Chechnya;

• Proposed laws restricting media reporting in Russia;

• Proposed laws to allow the burial of "unidentified" people considered to be terrorists. 

F. Ask all governments of EU to welcome people from Chechnya  who wish to leave their country and give them asylum.

G. Ask all governments of EU to pressure Russian government for free access to Chechnya for humanitarian organisations and media, under the protection of UN.

H. (separated vote required by German delegation)

Ask all governments of EU to introduce a case to the International Court of Justice  (Den Haag) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Chechnya.

I. Ask all governments of EU to put pressure on the Russian government to open negotiations with Chechen resistance taking into account the Mashkadov plan.