23:12, 7 May 2004

Chechen refugees on hunger strike in Pankissi Gorge

Chechen refugees have been staging a mass action in the Pankissi George, Georgia, since May 6. They are inclined to go on an indefinite hunger strike. The only demand they made is that the United Nations should give them the opportunity to leave for the third countries. The situation is that the local office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been promising to grant asylum to the Chechen refugees in the third countries for two years already, but there is no advance only the promises.

The Chechen refugees explain the necessity to leave for the third countries by the lack of security guaranties, suspension of humanitarian aid due in size, lack of medical care, and total lack of financial aid. The situation is on the verge of failure. Families having many children suffer most of all. Over 50% of children are ill as a result of undernourishment and vitamin deficiency. An infant died not long ago because of the lack of due medical care.

The people announced they were inclined to continue their hunger strike until their demands were satisfied, reported the Chechen Human Rights Center.

Source: Kavkazsky Vestnik Website