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HR/99/114
8 December 1999


JOINT STATEMENT EXPRESSES PROFOUND CONCERN
AT SITUATION OF CIVILIANS IN GROZNY



The following joint statement was issued today by Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Walter Schwimmer, Secretary-General of the Council of Europe; and Max van der Stoel, the High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

“GENEVA/STRASBOURG/THE HAGUE - We wish to express our profound
concern at the situation of civilians in Grozny who, according to the ultimatum of 6th December from the Federal authorities of the Russian Federation, are being given no other choice than to leave the city within five days or risk injury or death as a result of indiscriminate bombardment.

We wish to emphasise the obligations of the Russian Federation under international human rights and humanitarian law and we call for strict compliance with these standards. Whatever its motivation, any police or security action must conform to fundamental humanitarian principles.

Everything possible must be done to save and protect innocent lives.”