Kulatý stůl o situaci v Čečensku

Senátor Jaromír Štětina se dne 18. dubna 2008 zúčastnil diskusního fóra o situaci v Čečensku, které pořádal předseda Skupiny pro meziparlamentní vztahy Parlamentu Litevské republiky Rytas Kupčinskas.

GROUP FOR INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS WITH THE CHECHEN REPUBLICOF ICHKERIA UNDER THE SEIMAS OF THEREPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA

INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF PARLIAMENTARIANS ON THE PROBLEM OF CHECHNYA

APPEAL

OF THE ROUND TABLE PARTICIPANTS

VILNIUS, 18 April 2008

Mr. HANS-GERT PÖTTERING

SPEAKER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Mr. LLUIS MARIA DE PUIG

PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Mr. ALEXANDER STUBB

OSCE CHAIRMAN

ISSUES OF LAW, JUSTICE AND PEACE CANNOT BE NEGLECTED

The perfect global order everyone desires can only be based on relations grounded in wisdom and justice. If we open the books of the globally distinguished wise men we will find plentiful advice on behaviour and actions, even if we are not ignorant and unable to know the light from the darkness. We think that Russia is allowed to act without shouldering any responsibility. This is not the result of ignorance or failure to understand. The reason for that is the vile agreement with conscience and materialistic selfishness, which leads to the abyss of dehumanisation.

There is no period of limitation for crimes against truth and the right to live and recreate. The Australian government has recently apologised for the old historical wrongs and made piece with the aboriginal indigenous people. This generous act sets a good example for the entire humanity.

Ms Leni Fischer, a distinguished German politician, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said in March 1996: “Chechnya never signed under the document establishing the Russian Federation.” This was the case at all times: in the Tsarist Russian empire, during the Bolshevik rule, during the universal deportation of the Chechen population, and during the several recent decades.

Mr Anatolij Kulikov, the Russian Minister said in the same year: “The presence of the Russian army in Chechnya is the key argument telling us that Chechnya is part of Russia.” The global community is free to choose any of the two opinions.

Both individuals and nations have the fundamental right to freedom. We observe the horrendous legal, political, social and moral situation of the Chechen nation. As heads and leaders of especially significant organisations, you can understand that as well, but it is obvious that you have not done all you could to remedy the situation. We call for the definition and solution of the crisis in Chechnya for the sake of your families, your nations and for your own sake. There are enough international law provisions that allow taking stock of the life and suffering of the Chechen nation through monitoring the situation; keeping silent entails acceptance of the violence and expansion of horror throughout Europe.

For the benefit of the international law, we invite you to take a stance of principle, constantly and openly discuss the Chechen problem in your institution, as this problem has now silently passed into non-existence. We think that the main subject for the Council of Europe should be ensuring that Russia fulfils its legal obligations undertaken just before becoming member of this organization. We also call for the organisation of a wide-ranging international conference to discuss the issues of survival and self-determination of the Chechen nation. Otherwise on the historical perspective, the rights and the freedoms will remain an empty word uttered in the context of international standards, priority will be given to acknowledgment and acceptance of violence in the international relations, and this could be termed as your failure to carry out your responsibilities. It is hard work, but it is worth every effort.

Chairman of the Round Table Rytas Kupčinskas

Secretary of the Round Table Algirdas Endriukaitis