OSCE Permanent Council issues resolution on Chechnya

VIENNA, 3 February 1995 - The Permanent Council of the OSCE issued the following decision today:

The Permanent Council - having heard a report from the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for the Republic of Chechnya and experts accompanying him on his trip to the region; - expresses its appreciation for the co-operation extended by the Russian Government to the Personal Representative and his team which was essential to him in the discharge of his mandate;- reaffirms its support for a peaceful solution of the crisis, based on OSCE principles, respecting the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and its constitution;- expresses deep concern over the disproportionate use of force by the Russian Armed Forces;- deplores the serious violations of human rights before and after the outbreak of the current crisis;- calls for the full respect of international humanitarian law in the region of the Chechen crisis;- deems important that all those who have committed violations of human rights against individuals should be brought to justice;- expresses particular concern over the atrocities committed in the region of the Chechen crisis; - emphasizes the urgent need for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Grozny to prevent an imminent humanitarian catastrophe; - calls for the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to all groups of the civilian population in need and free access to all areas of the region of the Chechen crisis for ICRC and UNHCR and all other humanitarian organizations active in the region;- emphasizes that ICRC should be given access to all those who have been detained during the crisis, and the UNHCR allowed to open an office where it is necessary;- calls on the international community and especially OSCE participating States to render large-scale humanitarian aid to the war-torn areas;- calls for, looking beyond the immediate humanitarian needs, an early commencement of a political process aimed at a durable resolution of differences on the basis of OSCE principles, including, in particular, free elections;- reaffirms the readiness of the OSCE to offer its co-operation and assistance;- approves the steps taken so far by the Chairman-in-Office and requests him to remain actively involved in the search for the most appropriate forms of OSCE involvement in efforts to bring long-term stability to the region;- supports, to this end, his use of all instruments of the OSCE, including further visits by his Personal Representative and, as circumstances permit, the sending of fact-finding missions and expert groups from ODIHR (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) in the interests of ensuring an early and effective OSCE contribution to a comprehensive peaceful settlement;- calls on all participating States of the OSCE to fully support the Chairman-in-Office in order to enable him to fully implement this decision and requests him to report on a regular basis to the Permanent Council.