The OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya (Closed)

Basic Decisions

Establishment: 16th meeting of the Permanent Council, 11 April 1995, PC.DEC/35

Tasks

As laid down in the Decision of the Permanent Council of 11 April 1995, the Assistance Group performs the following tasks, in conjunction with Russian federal and local authorities, and in full conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation:

  • promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the establishment of facts concerning their violation; help foster the development of democratic institutions and processes, including the restoration of the local organs of authority; assist in the preparation of possible new constitutional agreements and in the holding and monitoring of elections;
  • facilitate the delivery to the region by international and non-governmental organizations of humanitarian aid for victims of the crisis, wherever they may be located;
  • provide assistance to the authorities of the Russian Federation and to international organizations in ensuring the speediest possible return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes in the crisis region;
  • promote the peaceful resolution of the crisis and the stabilization of the situation in the Chechen Republic in conformity with the principle of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and in accordance with OSCE principles and pursue dialogue and negotiations, as appropriate, through participation in 'round tables', with a view to establishing a cease-fire and eliminating sources of tension;
  • support the creation of mechanisms guaranteeing the rule of law, public safety and law and order.

Deployment

The OSCE AG to Chechnya began working in Grozny on 26 April 1995 and operated from there until 16 December 1998, when the AG's international staff was evacuated to Moscow due to the deteriorating security situation. In subsequent months, the AG conducted several working visits to Grozny. Renewed armed hostilities required the remaining AG local staff to be evacuated to Ingushetia in September 1999. In December 2000 local staff moved to the new AG office in Znamenskoye in the north of Chechnya.

Since the beginning of 2001 the immediate priority of the AG's activities was to ensure the return of its international staff to Chechnya. The negotiation process that began in 2000 to solve technical problems impeding the AG's return, led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Security between the AG and the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. On 15 June 2001, after almost two and a half years of evacuation, the AG's international staff returned to Chechnya.

Duration

Initially, no limitations as to the duration of the Group's work were set. Subsequently, through a Permanent Council Decision No 454/Corr.1 of 21 December 2001 the mandate of the Group was extended for one year until 31 December 2002.

The mandate was not further extended and the administrative closure of the Assistance Group was completed on 21 March 2003 .

Composition

The authorized strength of the Assistance Group was six international staff members. The Chairman-in-Office, in consultation with the Russian Federation, was authorized to decide on the group's membership.

The last Head of the Assistance Group was Ambassador Jorma Inki of Finland.