Participants of Brussels conference argue about realities of modern Chechnya

Participants of the conference held in Brussels and dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the peace treaty between Russia and the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic of Ichkeria have failed to reach a common understanding not only of the future, but also of the actual relationship of the society and the authorities of Chechnya with the Kremlin.

On May 15, in Brussels, the conference "Peace Treaty of May 12, 1997: the basis for the resolution of the Russian-Chechen conflict" was finished. The conference was organized by the Flemish branch of the "Pax Christi" International Catholic Peace Foundation, represented by Annemarie Gielen, and the "Government of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria acting abroad" led by Akhmed Zakaev, accused in Russia of terrorism.

According to Aminat Saieva, the announcer of the event, "the peace treaty has not lost its relevance, since the Russian-Chechen relations are not settled and the conflict is not resolved."

Akhmed Zakaev has reported that 25,000 natives of Chechnya are illegally imprisoned for fabricated cases, 80% of the young people go to work for the law enforcement agencies, and people are obliged to profess only one concept of Islam. The public, according to Akhmed Zakaev, is given the role of the crowd, which is allowed only to express its delight in the address of the authorities.

At the conference, the participants have repeatedly mentioned that the discussion of the future of Chechnya is possible only after Vladimir Putin quits his position, and in that sense, the goals of the Russian and Chechen opposition are the same.

Akhmed Zakaev has emphasized that the main thing is to avoid the third Chechen war. He has called the actual situation in Chechnya the tragedy not only of the Chechen, but also of the Russian people.

Meanwhile, experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" expressed their doubts with regard to the practical significance of the conference held in Brussels. However, the experts have noted its historical meaning.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.