12. International round table in
the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Round Table Discussion organized by the Group for
Interparliamentary Relations with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria of the
Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the International Group of
Parliamentarians on the Problem of Chechnya
Possibilities of Peace in Chechnya
P R O G R A M M E
18 April 2008
Constitution Hall of the Seimas
53 Gedimino ave., Vilnius
Beginning: 9.30
Chaired by: Rytas Kupčinskas, Chairman of the Group for Interparliamentary
Relations with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria of the Seimas of the
Republic of Lithuania and Algirdas Endriukaitis, Secretary General of the
International Group of Parliamentarians on the Problem of Chechnya
Introductory remarks by Rytas Kupčinskas
Welcoming speech by Andrius Kubilius, Deputy Speaker of the Seimas of the
Republic of Lithuania
Welcoming speech by Arminas Lydeka, Chairman of the Committee on Human
Rights of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Jaromir Stetina, Senator of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
Documentary film - The Dark Side of the World
Andres Herkel, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Estonia
Human Rights in Chechnya and the Council of Europe
Dr. Dainius Žalimas, Associate Professor of the Faculty of Law, Vilnius
University
Ivar Amundsen, Director of the Chechen Peace Forum
The destruction of Chechnya – its purpose in Russian power play. Our
European obligations to contribute to justice and peace.
Karl Erik Foverskov, representative of Danish-Chechen Committee
Algirdas Endriukaitis, Secretary General of the International Group of
Parliamentarians on the Problem of Chechnya
Truth and Justice Cannot Be Neglected
Romualdas Ozolas, Signatory to the Act of 11 March
National State Principle
Aminat Saijeva, representative of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in
Lithuania
History the Chechen Genocide
Adam Borowsky, Honorary Consul of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria in Poland
Chechen Diaspora in Poland
Madina Magomadova, representative from Chechnya
Arbi Khachukaev, representative from Chechnya
Chechnya Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Dik Altemirov, representative from Chechnya
Peace in Chechnya and the Public Attitude in the World to the Tragedy in
Chechnya
Mayrbek Tsutsaev, representative of Chechen diaspora in Sweden
The Development of the Situation in Chechnya and Solutions
Questions, remarks, discussions, proposals
Adoption of the Resolution
Registration of participants: 9.00
Coffee Break: 11.00 – 11.30
Lunch: 13.00 – 14.00
Duration of interventions: speech – 7 min., remark– 4 min., answer - 2 min.,
question – 1 min.
Contact telephone: +37061131325
GROUP FOR INTERPARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS WITH THE CHECHEN
REPUBLIC OF ICHKERIA UNDER THE SEIMAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA
INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF PARLIAMENTARIANS ON THE PROBLEM OF CHECHNYA
APPEAL
OF THE ROUND TABLE PARTICIPANTS
VILNIUS, 18 April 2008
Mr. HANS-GERT PÖTTERING
SPEAKER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Mr. LLUIS MARIA DE PUIG
PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE
Mr. ALEXANDER STUBB
OSCE CHAIRMAN
ISSUES OF LAW, JUSTICE AND PEACE CANNOT BE NEGLECTED
The perfect global order everyone
desires can only be based on relations grounded in wisdom and justice. If we
open the books of the globally distinguished wise men we will find plentiful
advice on behaviour and actions, even if we are not ignorant and unable to
know the light from the darkness. We think that Russia is allowed to act
without shouldering any responsibility. This is not the result of ignorance
or failure to understand. The reason for that is the vile agreement with
conscience and materialistic selfishness, which leads to the abyss of
dehumanisation.
There is no period of limitation for crimes against
truth and the right to live and recreate. The Australian government has
recently apologised for the old historical wrongs and made piece with the
aboriginal indigenous people. This generous act sets a good example for the
entire humanity.
Ms Leni Fischer, a distinguished German politician, President of the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said in March 1996:
“Chechnya never signed under the document establishing the Russian
Federation.” This was the case at all times: in the Tsarist Russian empire,
during the Bolshevik rule, during the universal deportation of the Chechen
population, and during the several recent decades.
Mr Anatolij Kulikov, the Russian Minister said in the
same year: “The presence of the Russian army in Chechnya is the key argument
telling us that Chechnya is part of Russia.” The global
community is free to choose any of the two opinions.
Both individuals and nations have the fundamental right
to freedom. We observe the horrendous legal, political, social and moral
situation of the Chechen nation. As heads and leaders of
especially significant organisations, you can understand that as well, but
it is obvious that you have not done all you could to remedy the situation.
We call for the definition and solution of the crisis in Chechnya for the
sake of your families, your nations and for your own sake. There are enough
international law provisions that allow taking stock of the life and
suffering of the Chechen nation through monitoring the situation; keeping
silent entails acceptance of the violence and expansion of horror throughout
Europe.
For the benefit of the international law, we invite you
to take a stance of principle, constantly and openly discuss the Chechen
problem in your institution, as this problem has now silently passed into
non-existence. We think that the main subject for the Council of Europe
should be ensuring that Russia fulfils its legal obligations undertaken just
before becoming member of this organization. We also call for the
organisation of a wide-ranging international conference to discuss the
issues of survival and self-determination of the Chechen nation. Otherwise
on the historical perspective, the rights and the freedoms will remain an
empty word uttered in the context of international standards, priority will
be given to acknowledgment and acceptance of violence in the international
relations, and this could be termed as your failure to carry out your
responsibilities. It is hard work, but it is worth every effort.
Chairman of the Round Table Rytas Kupčinskas
Secretary of the Round Table Algirdas Endriukaitis
Gedimino ave. 1, LT-
01103, Vilnius, Lithunia.
Tel.: + 370 673 95 837, +370 5 2318111, +370 699
37691
e-mail: vilnius@sajudis.com