OSCE JOINT STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA

Location: The Netherlands
Date: December, 8, 1999

ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE

High Commissioner on National Minorities

JOINT STATEMENT ON CHECHNYA

Geneva/Strasbourg/The Hague, 8 December 1999

We wish to express our profound concern for the situation of civilians in Grozny who, according to the ultimatum of 6 December 1999 from the Federal authorities of the Russian Federation, are given no other choice than to leave the city within five days or risk injury or death as the result of indiscriminate bombardment.

We wish to emphasise the obligations of the Russian Federation under international human rights and humanitarian law and we call for the strict respect of these standards. Whatever its motivation, any police or security action must conform to fundamental humanitarian principles.

Everything possible must be done to save and protect innocent lives.

Mary Robinson
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Walter Schwimmer
Secretary-General of the Council of Europe

Max van der Stoel
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Telephone: 31-70-3125500
Telefax:31-70-3635910
Prinsessegracht 22
2514 AP - The Hague
P.O. Box 20062
2500 EB - The Hague
The Netherlands