The most serious human rights violations take place in Chechnya every single day. 

A few intrepid local organisations report on what is really going on. These reports present a stark contrast to the idea that the situation in Chechnya is "normalizing".  

The Forum members contributing to this column are the Chechen Committee for National Salvation (ChKNS), Council of NGOs (SNO), Memorial, Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship (ORChD).  

What you read in these reports is shocking enough. But also remember that this is just a percentage of what is and can be reported...

Life conditions in Chechnya are catastrophic.

According to official statistics, 91% of the population in Chechnya is poor. The UN recently launched an appeal to stave off extreme conditions of cold and hunger. Almost every second child is born with a serious disease. This is happening in Europe today.  

More than a decade of conflict has created appalling conditions for life quality in Chechnya. Few children receive decent education and unemployment is rampant. Seriously low standards of living and the disastrous environmental situation takes a serious toll on the health of the nation: heart disease, TB and  radiation-related cancer rates are growing. Amongst children too.

A high proportion of the Chechen population are, moreover, refugees - internally displaced in neighbouring Ingushetia and at home in Chechnya itself. Standards in the TACs (temporary accommodation centres) are extremely low and many issues conspire to prevent people from moving out of them, not least the dire situation with compensation for lost property. 

Many more Chechens find themselves within the arduous asylum system of Europe where the conditions and treatment they face are often terrible. Deportation to Russia is practiced regularly despite numerous stories of the mistreatment and persecution that occurs on return. 

In addition to the news update, the following Forum members monitor these conditions and post their reports here:

On women and children: 

Echo of War, Mothers of Chechnya, Save the Generation, Women's Dignity

On youth and education: 

Centre SK Strategy, Dialogue, Chechen State library and University, Youth Initiatives

On refugees: 

Association of Chechen Refugees in Belgium, Society for Russian-Chechen Friendship in Germany, Society for Swiss-Chechen Friendship, United Committee for Refugees of Chechnya

Information in and about Chechnya falls into an abyss. 

Few independent journalists - Chechen, Russian or international - are able to operate in the region since the beginning of this second conflict. Access to the region is tightly controlled. Those who continue in their pursuit for the truth are often threatened or harassed for their activities. In the last decade, 63 journalists have been killed with little or no recourse to justice. 

Here you can access the few Chechen journals from the following Forum members:

Chechen Society                             Dosh (Word)                          Voice of the Chechen Republic