23:37, 15 October 2003

Refugees from "Bella" camp are about to take order on camp closure to court

More than 100 families of the Chechen refugees relocated to the "Satsita" settlement from the former "Bella" camp are about to take a legal action to recognize the order of the Federal Migration Service on the "Bella" tent camp closure as unlawful.

The order (01.08.03, #23/4449) of the Russian Interior Ministry's Migration Service prescribed to have the "Bella" tent camp closed since September 1, 2003 due to "the danger of possible fire, destruction and infections in the camp". After that the majority (over 160 families) of camp residents were moved to the neighboring "Satsita" tent camp.

According to Chechen displaced persons living in the "Satsita" camp, the conditions mentioned in the order are found in their new settlement too. Meanwhile, as the refugees reported, the "Satsita" camp authorities keep on placing pressure on them with the purpose of forcing them out of the camp.

Displaced persons from Chechnya are convinced the main objective of the authorities is not to take care of the people, but to reduce the number of camps in Ingushetia.

Source: Caucasus Times Website