Permanent Council agrees on mandate for Chechnya Assistance Group

VIENNA, 11 April 1995 - The OSCE Permanent Council issued the following decision today which outlines a mandate for an OSCE Assistance Group for the Chechen Republic:

The Permanent Council ... Decides to establish an OSCE Assistance Group, which, operating in conjunction with the Russian federal and local authorities, and in full conformity with the legislation of the Russian Federation, will perform the following tasks:

- promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and 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 of the region by international and non-governmental organizations of humanitarian aid for victims of the crisis, wherever they may by 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 of "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.

In order to perform the above-mentioned tasks the OSCE Assistance Group must:

- enjoy, while taking due account of the personal safety of its members and accompanying persons, all possible freedom of movement on the territory of the Chechen Republic and also on the territory of neighbouring subjects of the Russian Federation, if so required for the performance of its tasks;

- establish appropriate forms of co-operation and contact with civilian and military representatives in the crisis region, and also with individual citizens and groups of citizens wishing to enter into contact with the Group and/or with its members;

- be provided with such material and technical support, including accommodation, transport and communications, as may be needed for maintaining the activities of the OSCE Assistance Group in the region.

Members of the OSCE Assistance Group will enjoy such privileges and immunities as are accorded, in accordance with the Decisions of the Rome OSCE Council Meeting, to members of the OSCE missions established by competent OSCE bodies.

The Assistance Group is subordinate to the Chairman-in-Office, who will report regularly to the OSCE Permanent Council and inform the Government of the Russian Federation of the Group's activities.

The Assistance Group will initially be composed of six members. The number and composition of the Group's membership can be changed as required, depending on how the situation on the ground develops...

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The Group, which could be deployed as early as mid-April, will be based in Grozny with branch offices in neighboring republics.