Azerbaijan authorities 'will not give Russia lists of Chechen refugees'

The Georgian Interior Ministry is known to have issued a statement it is ready to give Russia lists of Chechen refugees living in the Pankissi Gorge. But Chechens say Georgia's intentions conflict with norms of international law protecting refugees' rights. They rate it as an attempt by the Federal Security Service (FSB) to take control of everything and continue its bloody policy towards the Chechens. Besides, the Chechens are convinced the data to be given by the Georgian side will be faked-up and used against Chechen refugees, first of all men. The Chechens believe the Kremlin wants to try to set the Chechens on the Georgians.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Mairbek Taramov hopes the Azerbaijan authorities will not act in the same way as the Georgian ones. In his words, Chechen refugees living in Azerbaijan are under the jurisdiction of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees therefore, the human rights activist thinks, giving the lists of Chechen refugees to Russia is impossible. Besides, the Russian authorities have not made such a request to the Azerbaijan authorities so far. However that may be, Chechen refuges are ready to stage mass rallies and turn to the European Court of Human Rights in case the Azerbaijan authorities follow Georgia's example, Mr Taramov said.