Russia: Information on the Russian minority in the Chechen Republic
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 May 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS17210.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: Information on the Russian minority in the Chechen Republic, 1 May 1994, RUS17210.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aca248.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Russian Press Digest indicates that, according to a poll conducted in Grozny (the capital) by experts from the Russian Science Academy, over 74 per cent of Russians, including Cossacks, are preparing to leave the self-proclaimed Chechen Republic (5 Feb. 1994). This source indicates that, according to the poll, 94 per cent cite lack of protection of the rights of Russians in the republics of northern Caucasia as a reason for leaving (ibid.). Others cite inter-ethnic tensions as a reason (ibid.). Referring to a petition form Russians living in Chechnya, the Russian Press Digest indicates that
Russian teachers, doctors and other specialists are being squeezed out of their jobs in that republic, while the Chechen underworld have made the Russians "the target of their special attention:" robberies, violence, car thefts, kidnapping, including children, forcible eviction from apartments and homes, the taking over of garden plots, write the authors of the petition to Yeltsin have turned their life into one of "endless fear" (ibid.)
The Associated Press states that over one-third (50,000) of Russians in Chechnya have left (4 Dec. 1993). The source quotes a woman who claims that Russians "were 'terrorized,' their apartments robbed and their families subject to robbery and assault as 'no one will defend us against the word of a Chechen" (ibid.).
A professor specializing in inter-ethnic relations in the former Soviet Union at Carleton University in Ottawa corroborates that there is a massive flow of Russians from the Chechen Republic (2 may 1994). She also corroborates the above claims that Russians have been victims of ethnic discrimination, mistreatment, acts of violence, robbery and thefts and that some have also been dismissed from their places of employment and forcibly evicted from their homes (ibid.). The professor further stated that, although the situation has slightly improved in the last months, Russians are currently living under very difficult conditions and inter-ethnic tension (ibid).
See the attached documents for further information. This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
The Associated Press (AP). 4 December 1993. Liam McDowall. "Russia's Renegade Region Relish Being Thorn in Russia's Side." (NEXIS)
Professor specializing in inter-ethnic relations in the former Soviet Union, Carleton University, Ottawa. 2 May 1994. Telephone interview.
Soviet Press Digest [Moscow]. 5 February 1994. Natalia Pachegina. "Desperate Russians Ready to Leave Chechnya, but Neither Dudayev, nor Yeltsin Guarantee Them Future." (NEXIS)
Attachments
The Associated Press (AP). 4 December 1993. Liam McDowall. "Russia's Renegade Region Relish Being Thorn in Russia's Side." (NEXIS)
The Gazette [Montréal]. 20 May 1993. Paul Delean. "Humble Return for an Olympic Hero; Soviet Gymnast Seeking Refugee Status." (NEXIS)
Ryvkina, Rozalina and Rostilav Turovski. 1993. The Refugee Crisis in Russia. Edited by Robert J. Brym. New York: York Lanes Press, pp. 10, 14.
Soviet Press Digest [Moscow]. 5 February 1994. Natalia Pachegina. "Desperate Russians Ready to Leave Chechnya, but Neither Dudayev, nor Yeltsin Guarantee Them Future." (NEXIS)
