Summary: December 5, 2002: Commissioner Nielson condems the eviction of Chechen refugees from the camp of Aki Yurt in Igushetia (Brussels)
EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson having taken notice of the closure of the Aki Yurt refugee camp in Ingushetia by the Russian authorities said: "I am deeply concerned by the closure of the refugee camp Aki Yurt. The closure of this and other camps constitutes a serious neglect of humanitarian concerns as long as the situation in Chechnya does not allow for a safe return of the refugees."
In spite of many Russian assurances that they would fully respect the principle of voluntary return of people displaced by the war in Chechnya, the Russian and Ingush authorities have closed the camp on 03 December 2002. 1,700 Chechens who had sought refuge there have been forced to leave the camp, with no alternative accommodation proposed, in the middle of a harsh winter. Part of the families have had no other solution but to return to Chechnya, where their whereabouts are unknown and where
their life is at risk. It is only yesterday that ECHO and the UN have been able to enter the camp and found it empty.
The dismantling of Aki Yurt, which comes after the closure of Znamenskoye camp last July, is a serious humanitarian concern. Internally displaced people (IDP) have the right to a truly voluntary return and should be allowed to stay in Ingushetia if they so wish and enjoy protection there. The Commission is committed to continuing to give humanitarian assistance to the people displaced in Ingushetia.
Background
The European Commission, through ECHO, is the main donor of humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict in Chechnya, with more than €90 million allocated since the beginning of the second conflict. ECHO has given continued assistance to the camp of Aki Yurt, as to all other camps in Ingushetia. ECHO was financing several humanitarian organisations working there on protection (UNHCR), shelter, education, medical aid, food aid, water and sanitation projects and psycho-social projects for the
people displaced. All of these projects have had to stop abruptly and staff from these organisations requested to leave the camp.
The European Commission and the EU Member States have made all efforts possible to prevent the closure of Aki Yurt. Most recently, Commissioner Nielson has publicly expressed its concerns, on 14 and 27 November; an EU Troika in Moscow has expressed the same message to the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Head of the Federal Migration Service, Deputy Minister of Interior, and the Federal Minister responsible for Chechnya on the 26 November. The EU's concern has also been conveyed
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ivanov.
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