战略与国际研究中心-49-Steps-To-Improve-Human-Rights-and-Security-in-the-North-Caucasus_25页_1mb

49 Steps to Improve Human Rights and Security in the North Caucasus Summary

Core Content

This report outlines 49 practical recommendations aimed at improving human rights and security in the North Caucasus, particularly in Chechnya. It is a collaborative effort by the Human Rights & Security Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, based on a series of meetings held in Berlin in 2005, 2006, and 2006. The recommendations are grouped into several thematic areas, including policy dialogues, donor coordination, and capacity building within the NGO and human rights communities.

Main Viewpoints

• The North Caucasus has been plagued by violence, instability, and terrorism for over a decade.
• The Russian government has restricted donor access and created an ambivalent international response.
• Human rights abuses and impunity have contributed to the radicalization of populations, especially youth.
• There is a need for a multidisciplinary and coordinated approach to address the region's challenges.
• The international community must prioritize human rights and security as interlinked issues and engage more effectively with local populations.

Key Information

1. Policy Dialogues

• Convening International Conferences: Organize a series of conferences to discuss and prioritize humanitarian and development assistance in the North Caucasus.
• International Working Group: Establish a working group to coordinate donor and government strategies, focusing on security, human rights, and legal compliance.
• Conflict Resolution Community Meeting: Bring together experts and conflict resolution practitioners to share lessons from other conflicts.
• Diplomatic Initiative: Launch a diplomatic or elder statesmen initiative to raise the profile of the North Caucasus in European capitals.
• Reframing the Discussion: Shift the focus of discussions on Chechnya to highlight the security implications of human rights abuse and impunity.
• Scenario Building: Conduct expert meetings to explore alternative governance models for Chechnya.
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Propose a truth and reconciliation commission to support transitional justice and foster dialogue.

2. Coordinating Assistance Efforts

• Donors Conference: Organize a conference to coordinate donor efforts and discuss the allocation and conditions of assistance.
• Increase Funding for Human Rights and Rule of Law: Advocate for more funding and strategic support for human rights and media in the region.
• Next Generation Programs: Prioritize programs that support youth in the North Caucasus, including cross-regional and international exchanges.
• Education Programs: Develop educational initiatives to improve access to the Internet, academic resources, and libraries for students and faculty.
• Health Programs: Address health crises, especially those related to war, by creating support programs for victims of mines, torture, and environmental hazards.
• Capacity Building for NGOs: Support the development of strategic communications and advocacy skills within the NGO community.

3. Improving Human Rights Monitoring

• Executive Summaries: Include concise summaries in all reports to improve clarity and impact.
• Citations and Footnotes: Provide detailed citations to reports and interviews to enhance credibility.
• Coordinate Research and Advocacy: Encourage NGOs to coordinate research and advocacy efforts to increase their influence.
• Personal Outreach: Promote direct engagement with policymakers following the release of reports.
• Advocacy Timing: Submit recommendations to governments and international organizations 4–6 months before major international meetings.
• Joint Reports and Campaigns: Develop joint reports with a coherent message and coordinate advocacy campaigns.
• Additional Research: Conduct in-depth research on human rights abuses and their link to extremism and socioeconomic conditions.
• Actionable Recommendations: Provide specific, implementable recommendations to policymakers to increase the likelihood of adoption.

4. Beyond Reports

• Education Programs for the Caucasus: Expand educational opportunities for youth in the region, including scholarships and twinning programs.
• Human Rights Curricula: Support the development of human rights curricula in Russian universities and schools.
• Translation and Dissemination: Fund the translation and distribution of human rights materials within the Russian education system.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained international effort to address the complex security and human rights challenges in the North Caucasus. It calls for increased donor engagement, stronger collaboration with local NGOs, and a shift in focus from conflict to human security. The recommendations are presented as a call to action for both the Russian government and the international community to recommit resources and strategies to the region, with a particular emphasis on the next generation.