Congress of forced Chechen migrants in Ingushetia planned for June 1 cancelled

The congress of forced migrants from Chechnya living in Ingushetia to be held in Nazran on June 1 was cancelled. On May 7, this decision was announced by Aslambek Apaev, one of the organizers, expert of the Moscow Helsinki Group for Northern Caucasus and Chairman of the Committee in Defence of Forced Migrants' Rights.

According to the human rights activist, the cancellation was caused by the fact that "the problem of forced migrants' return to the Chechen Republic and creation of conditions for their residence there does not exist."

"For a week, we kept monitoring the situation around Chechen refugees who are returning to Chechnya, back to their permanent residence, and we've got convinced that the authorities of this republic use their best efforts to solve any problems that the refugees might have. Together with Ombudsman Nurdi Nukhazhiev we toured around all the sites, where the returnees from Ingushetia are accommodated - high-rise apartment blocks in the Dudaev Parkway, the house in central Grozny in Pervomaiskaya Street and comfortable cottages in District 20 of Grozny. Everywhere these people are provided with most favourable conditions for life. Residents of rural areas are provided with land plots and building materials. Compensations have been paid out of turn, said Mr Apaev. "If someone doesn't want to come back, it's his or her problem."

In the opinion of one of local observers, the reason that has forced the organizers of the planned congress to change their mind was in extremely negative reaction from the leadership of Ingushetia and Chechnya.