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==In Russia== ==In Russia==


The ] (IDMC) reports that hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes in Chechnya since 1990.<ref>, ], 13 August 2007</ref> This included majority of Chechnya non-Chechen population of 300,000 (mostly ], but also ], ], ], ] and many more) who had left the republic in the early ] and as of 2008 never returned (it is hardly possible they would ever return). The ] reports that hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes in Chechnya since 1990.<ref>, ], 13 August 2007</ref> This included almost all of Chechnya non-Chechen population of 300,000 (mostly ], but also ], ], ], ] and many more) who had left the republic in the early ]. Many ethnic ] have also moved to ] and other Russian cities.

Many ethnic ] have also moved to ] and other Russian cities. According to the 2008 study by the ], some 139,000 Chechens remained displaced in the Russian Federation.


===Ingushetia=== ===Ingushetia===


In the nearby republic of ], at the peak of the refugee crisis after the start of the ] in 2000, estimated 240,000 refugees almost doubled the Ingushetia's pre-war population of 300,000 (350,000 including the refugees from the ]). Estimated 325,000 was the total number of people that have entered Ingushetia as refugees in the first year of the ].<ref name="ingush"/> Thousands of them were pressured to return by the Russian military already in December 1999.<ref> ], 12/17/99</ref> In the tiny nearby republic of ], at the peak of the refugee crisis after the start of the ] in 2000, estimated 240,000 refugees almost doubled the Ingushetia's pre-war population of 300,000 (350,000 including the refugees from the ]). Estimated 325,000 was the total number of people that have entered Ingushetia as refugees in the first year of the ].<ref name="ingush"/> Thousands of them were pressured to return by the Russian military already in December 1999.<ref> ], 12/17/99</ref>


Some 185,000 were in the republic already by November 1999<ref>, ], November 18, 1999</ref> and 215,000 lived in Ingushetia by June of 2000.<ref name="ingush"> ], Sept. 10, 2000</ref> About 180,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia by February 2002<ref> ], February 05, 2002</ref> and 150,000 by June 2002, most of them housed in an abandoned farms and factories, or living with sympathetic families.<ref> ], June 12, 2002</ref> The official ]s were forcibly closed after 2001 by the new Chechen government of President ] and the Ingush government of President ].<ref> ], January 14, 2004</ref> As of early 2007, less than 20,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia and many of them were expected to ] locally rather than return to Chechnya. Some 185,000 were in the republic already by November 1999<ref>, ], November 18, 1999</ref> and 215,000 lived in Ingushetia by June of 2000.<ref name="ingush"> ], Sept. 10, 2000</ref> About 180,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia by February 2002<ref> ], February 05, 2002</ref> and 150,000 by June 2002, most of them housed in an abandoned farms and factories, or living with sympathetic families.<ref> ], June 12, 2002</ref> The official ]s were forcibly closed after 2001 by the new Chechen government of President ] and the Ingush government of President ].<ref> ], January 14, 2004</ref> As of early 2007, less than 20,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia and many of them were expected to integrate locally rather than return to Chechnya.


===Chechnya=== ===Chechnya===
As of 2008, more than 100,000 people remain ]s (IDP) within Chechnya, most of whom live in substandard housing and ]. All official IDP centers in the republic were closed down and the foreign NGO aid severely limited by the government (including the ban of the ]). As of 2008, more than 100,000 people remain ]s within Chechnya, most of whom live in substandard housing and poverty.


==Abroad== ==Abroad==
Since 2003 there is a sharp surge of Chechen asylum-seekers arriving abroad, at a time when major combat operations had largely ceased. One explanation is the process of "]", which empowered former separatists Ahmed Kadyrov and his son ] as the leaders of Chechnya (indeed, Chechen refugees indicated that they feared Chechen security forces more than Russian troops). Another explanation is that after a decade of war and lawlessness, many Chechens have given up hope of ever rebuilding a normal life at home and instead try to start a new life in ]. Since 2003 there is a sharp surge of Chechen asylum-seekers arriving abroad, at a time when major combat operations had largely ceased. One explanation is the process of "Chechenization", which empowered former separatists Ahmed Kadyrov and his son ] as the leaders of Chechnya (indeed, Chechen refugees indicate that they fear local Chechen security services more than Russian troops). Another explanation is that after a decade of war and lawlessness, many Chechens have given up hope of ever rebuilding a normal life at home and instead try to start a new life in ].


===European Union=== ===European Union===


In 2003, some 33,000 Russian citizens (over 90% of them presumed to be Chechens) applied for ] in the ] (EU), according to the ], making them the largest group of new refugees arriving in ]s. Czech refugee camps were said to be "overhelmed" due to an overwhelming number of Chechen refugees crossing to the ] in 2003.<ref>, ], 30-12-2003</ref> In 2003, some 33,000 Russian citizens (over 90% of them presumed to be Chechens) applied for ] in the ] (EU), according to the ], making them the largest group of new refugees arriving in ]s.


In ], almost 3,600 Chechens have applied for ] status in the first eight months of 2007 alone and over 6,000 in the next four months.<ref>, ], September 14, 2007 In ], almost 3,600 Chechens have applied for ] status in the first eight months of 2007 alone;<ref>, ], September 14, 2007
</ref><ref name="wprost">, ], 2008-03-10 07:13</ref> As of 2008, the Chechens are the greatest group (90% in 2007<ref name="wprost"/>) of refugees arriving in Poland, on the eastern border of the EU, often treated as a transit country further west. </ref> and over 6,000 in the next four months.<ref name="wprost">, ], 2008-03-10 07:13</ref> As of 2008, the Chechens are the greatest group (90% in 2007<ref name="wprost"/>) of refugees arriving in Poland, on the eastern border of the EU. Czech refugee camps were also "overhelmed" due to an overwhelming number of Chechen refugees crossing to the ].<ref>, ], 30-12-2003</ref>


In the ] there is a large number of Chechen refugees. Some of them wanted by Russia for ] and other crimes; however, the UK government refuses to extradite them on grounds of concern for ]. Some of the original Chechen separatist government figures relocated to the UK. In the ] there is a large number of Chechen refugees. Some of them wanted by Russia for ] and other crimes; however, the UK government refuses to extradite them on grounds of concern for ]. Many of the original Chechen separatist government figures relocated to the UK.


Thousands of Chechen families live in ]; many of them in ], conflicted with immigrants from ].<ref>, ], November 09, 2006</ref> As of 2008, thousands more are trying to get to France from Poland.<ref>, ], 25 January 2008</ref> Hundreds of Chechen families live in ]; many of them in ], conflicted with immigrants from ].<ref>, ], November 09, 2006</ref> As of 2008, thousands more are trying to get to France from Poland.<ref>, ], 25 January 2008</ref>


] granted asylum rights to more than 2,000 Chechen refugees in 2007. In January, 2008, ], a ] governor of ], called for a moratorium on giving them asylum blaming some already there for violence and sex crimes.<ref>PR-inside, , 12.01.2008</ref><ref>] Inforadio, , 12.01.2008</ref> ] granted asylum rights to more than 2,000 Chechen refugees in 2007. In January, 2008, ], a ] governor of ], called for a moratorium on giving them asylum blaming some already there for violence and sex crimes.<ref>PR-inside, , 12.01.2008</ref><ref>] Inforadio, , 12.01.2008</ref>
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] ]


Of 4,000 Chechens who have sought safety in neighbouring ], the majority have settled in ] and several hundred remain today. Of 12,000 Chechen refugees who arrived in ], most has moved on to Europe later (leaving some 5,000 in 2003<ref> ], March 4th 2003 </ref> and 2,000 in 2007<ref>, APA, 03 Oct 2007</ref>). Both Azerbaijan and Georgia have ] Chechen refugees to Russia in violation of their obligations under ] (the ] has ruled that Georgia violated their rights). Of 4,000 Chechens who have sought safety in neighbouring ], the majority have settled in ] and several hundred remain today. Of 12,000 Chechen refugees who arrived in ], most has moved on to Europe later (leaving some 5,000 in 2003<ref> ], March 4th 2003 </ref> and 2,000 in 2007<ref>, APA, 03 Oct 2007</ref>).
Both Azerbaijan and Georgia have ] Chechen refugees to Russia in violation of their obligations under ] (the ] has ruled that Georgia violated their rights).


Some 3,000 to 4,000 Chechens arrived in ], of which most also moved on further, but as of 2005 some 1,500 stayed.<ref>, ], February 16, 2005</ref> Some 3,000 to 4,000 Chechens arrived in ], of which most also moved on further, but as of 2005 some 1,500 stayed.<ref>, ], February 16, 2005</ref>


] is the main transit country for Chechen refugees traveling to Europe. Some other travel through ]. ] is the main transit country for Chechen refugees traveling to Europe.


A small, but growing Chechen community exists in the ]. A small, but growing Chechen community exists in the ].
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==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}

==See also==
* ]


==External links== ==External links==

Revision as of 20:05, 11 April 2008

During the inter-ethnic strife in Chechnya and the two separatist Chechen wars, hundreds of thousands of Chechen refugees have left their homes and left the republic for elsewhere in Russia and abroad.

In Russia

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reports that hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes in Chechnya since 1990. This included almost all of Chechnya non-Chechen population of 300,000 (mostly Russians, but also Armenians, Ingush, Georgians, Ukrainians and many more) who had left the republic in the early 1990s. Many ethnic Chechens have also moved to Moscow and other Russian cities.

Ingushetia

In the tiny nearby republic of Ingushetia, at the peak of the refugee crisis after the start of the Second Chechen War in 2000, estimated 240,000 refugees almost doubled the Ingushetia's pre-war population of 300,000 (350,000 including the refugees from the Ingush-Ossetian conflict). Estimated 325,000 was the total number of people that have entered Ingushetia as refugees in the first year of the Second Chechen War. Thousands of them were pressured to return by the Russian military already in December 1999.

Some 185,000 were in the republic already by November 1999 and 215,000 lived in Ingushetia by June of 2000. About 180,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia by February 2002 and 150,000 by June 2002, most of them housed in an abandoned farms and factories, or living with sympathetic families. The official refugee camps were forcibly closed after 2001 by the new Chechen government of President Akhmad Kadyrov and the Ingush government of President Murat Zyazikov. As of early 2007, less than 20,000 Chechens remained in Ingushetia and many of them were expected to integrate locally rather than return to Chechnya.

Chechnya

As of 2008, more than 100,000 people remain internally displaced persons within Chechnya, most of whom live in substandard housing and poverty.

Abroad

Since 2003 there is a sharp surge of Chechen asylum-seekers arriving abroad, at a time when major combat operations had largely ceased. One explanation is the process of "Chechenization", which empowered former separatists Ahmed Kadyrov and his son Ramzan Kadyrov as the leaders of Chechnya (indeed, Chechen refugees indicate that they fear local Chechen security services more than Russian troops). Another explanation is that after a decade of war and lawlessness, many Chechens have given up hope of ever rebuilding a normal life at home and instead try to start a new life in exile.

European Union

In 2003, some 33,000 Russian citizens (over 90% of them presumed to be Chechens) applied for asylum in the European Union (EU), according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, making them the largest group of new refugees arriving in developed nations.

In Poland, almost 3,600 Chechens have applied for refugee status in the first eight months of 2007 alone; and over 6,000 in the next four months. As of 2008, the Chechens are the greatest group (90% in 2007) of refugees arriving in Poland, on the eastern border of the EU. Czech refugee camps were also "overhelmed" due to an overwhelming number of Chechen refugees crossing to the Czech Republic.

In the United Kingdom there is a large number of Chechen refugees. Some of them wanted by Russia for terrorism and other crimes; however, the UK government refuses to extradite them on grounds of concern for human rights. Many of the original Chechen separatist government figures relocated to the UK.

Hundreds of Chechen families live in France; many of them in Nice, conflicted with immigrants from North Africa. As of 2008, thousands more are trying to get to France from Poland.

Austria granted asylum rights to more than 2,000 Chechen refugees in 2007. In January, 2008, Jörg Haider, a far right governor of Carinthia, called for a moratorium on giving them asylum blaming some already there for violence and sex crimes.

Thousands more settled in the other EU countries, in particular in Belgium (many in Aarschot), Norway, Sweden and Germany.

Other countries

File:Chechenchildren.jpg
Chechen children in Pankisi

Of 4,000 Chechens who have sought safety in neighbouring Georgia, the majority have settled in Pankisi Gorge and several hundred remain today. Of 12,000 Chechen refugees who arrived in Azerbaijan, most has moved on to Europe later (leaving some 5,000 in 2003 and 2,000 in 2007).

Both Azerbaijan and Georgia have extradited Chechen refugees to Russia in violation of their obligations under international law (the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Georgia violated their rights).

Some 3,000 to 4,000 Chechens arrived in Turkey, of which most also moved on further, but as of 2005 some 1,500 stayed.

Ukraine is the main transit country for Chechen refugees traveling to Europe.

A small, but growing Chechen community exists in the United States.

References

  1. Government efforts help only some IDPs rebuild their lives, IDMC, 13 August 2007
  2. ^ Information on the Chechen refugee situation in Ingushetia in the late 2000 University of California, Sept. 10, 2000
  3. Chechen Refugees in Ingushetia Pressured to Return Human Rights Watch, 12/17/99
  4. World: Europe UN envoy meets Chechen refugees, BBC News, November 18, 1999
  5. Russia says 'return,' but Chechen refugees stay put The Christian Science Monitor, February 05, 2002
  6. Chechens wary of homecoming The Christian Science Monitor, June 12, 2002
  7. Russia: Chechen Refugees Face Ejection From Camps In Ingushetia Radio Free Europe, January 14, 2004
  8. Polish border guards find 3 dead Chechen girls near Ukrainian border, IHR, September 14, 2007
  9. ^ O azyl prosi coraz więcej Czeczenów, Wprost, 2008-03-10 07:13
  10. Czech camps overwhelmed by Chechen Refugees, Refugees International, 30-12-2003
  11. CHECHEN AND AFRICAN IMMIGRANTS BATTLE IN NICE, FRANCE, The Jamestown Foundation, November 09, 2006
  12. Chechen refugees chase 'French dream' following Schengen expansion, AFP, 25 January 2008
  13. PR-inside, Austrian right-wing politician demands moratorium on asylum for immigrants from Chechnya, 12.01.2008
  14. Ö1 Inforadio, Chechens deported from Carinthia, 12.01.2008
  15. Chechen refugees in Azerbaijan National Endowment for Democracy, March 4th 2003
  16. Chechen refugees living in Azerbaijan demand granting citizenship to an estimated 2000 of them, APA, 03 Oct 2007
  17. THE CHECHEN DIASPORA IN TURKEY, The Jamestown Foundation, February 16, 2005

See also

External links

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