Reflection
I feel that this reflection was basically upon why I think we did this project and what I learned from it.
I believe we did this project because even though we learned a lot about many of the subjects, there were just some that we really didn’t learn about so thoroughly. So, we did a project on the subjects (and new ones as well) and learned a lot about them. Our group did the project on Chechnya and I didn’t even know information like that existed. Also, the groups that did the Holocaust must have learned more about the topic than in class.
I didn’t like only one thing about this project. It was hard for me to look up some of the information. I didn’t know anything about the topic before we even started. We were supposed to do the project on a topic that we weren’t familiar with. It was hard to find out things, especially for me. Everybody else in my group had the main points about Chechnya like the wars. I only got that timeline and the problem with that was is that I didn’t learn much about the topic. Learning important dates was good, but I didn’t know anything about what those events were. But, I then learned a lot more after talking to my group.
I liked that I got to learn a lot about the topic and learned what happened to the Chechens. It was amazing to learn about each war and what happened in them. I thought it was sad to learn about specific events like the killing of thousands of innocent people. It was kind of fun to know what happened to these people and knowing that their freedom was taken away and abused the Human Rights too. That was wrong of Russia to do that and I found it more amazing that the conflict is still going on today.
I learned a lot about Russia and the case of Chechnya. I never knew a lot of the facts about this topic until last week when we picked the subject to do for our project. It was a little difficult in the beginning, but then I understood it and I find it fascinating what happened to Chechnya and the many events that happened to the Chechens that are still going on to this very moment .
Monday, June 11, 2007
Olivia P.'s Reflection
During the time that I have been working on this blog, I have never seen such inhumane actions done by a government since the Holocaust. People are being slaughtered like pigs for their rights that they deserve. Over 250,000 people were killed just in the first war, there are still deaths happening now even after the second war has ended. This is not right; people should not be murdered as if they’re inhuman. The Chechens are Slavic, just as the Russians are. They are the same, and should get along, not fight. It started when Chechnya tried to gain it’s independence, but Russia did not want them to leave from the country and after four years the Russian army came in and started to attack. The Chechens fought back, winning the first war, but did not stop the army from taking innocent lives. The second war had started, creating more conflict when Russia said they were only trying to get rid of some traitors that were hidden in the mountains. Chechnya soon caught on to their plans, starting the second Chechen war. This ended in 2003 when a constitution was created to stop the fighting. But since then, there have been terrorist attacks on Hospitals, planes and one in a movie theatre in Moscow which killed 300 civilians. That’s going a little too far, but the Russians should strike some sort of peace treaty with the Chechens so no one else gets killed and no more wars are started.
The government was the greatest director of the war on Russia’s side. Russia and Chechnya are the only two countries in this. I would say this is stupid since Russia hasn’t gone after any other countries that have broken away. They’re using all their troops on Chechnya as if it’s the most important country to keep around. They haven’t created any laws against the country, the Russians have actually let them have their own president since the second war has ended, but they’re still a part of Russia.
I think these people were tortured and killed because the Russians wanted the government to surrender. They probably thought that if they slaughtered off the people, the government would give in so the others could survive. When the Chechens didn’t surrender, more killing went on but the Chechens fought back. The Russian’s plan, by my beliefs, was denied since Chechnya never gave in.
This event is still going on today. The wars might have ended, since the first war started in 1994 until 1996 and the second war was in 1999 to 2003, but there is still killing and pain and suffering all around the two countries. Chechnya is still stooping to terrorism, killing hundreds of Russian civilians. This is like the war in Iraq, many civilians getting massacred on the streets like in the beginning of the war. The agony of this all will affect all the countries, Russia, Chechnya, and Iraq, for the rest of their existences. The bonds between the countries, Russia to Chechnya and America to Iraq, will never be the same. No matter how hard they try.
The result of this event has yet to be known. The two countries have taken a break from the war, but human rights have not been completely given to Chechens. There is still horror every day as long as the two countries are at war. There will be no compromise until the end of the war has been created.
The government was the greatest director of the war on Russia’s side. Russia and Chechnya are the only two countries in this. I would say this is stupid since Russia hasn’t gone after any other countries that have broken away. They’re using all their troops on Chechnya as if it’s the most important country to keep around. They haven’t created any laws against the country, the Russians have actually let them have their own president since the second war has ended, but they’re still a part of Russia.
I think these people were tortured and killed because the Russians wanted the government to surrender. They probably thought that if they slaughtered off the people, the government would give in so the others could survive. When the Chechens didn’t surrender, more killing went on but the Chechens fought back. The Russian’s plan, by my beliefs, was denied since Chechnya never gave in.
This event is still going on today. The wars might have ended, since the first war started in 1994 until 1996 and the second war was in 1999 to 2003, but there is still killing and pain and suffering all around the two countries. Chechnya is still stooping to terrorism, killing hundreds of Russian civilians. This is like the war in Iraq, many civilians getting massacred on the streets like in the beginning of the war. The agony of this all will affect all the countries, Russia, Chechnya, and Iraq, for the rest of their existences. The bonds between the countries, Russia to Chechnya and America to Iraq, will never be the same. No matter how hard they try.
The result of this event has yet to be known. The two countries have taken a break from the war, but human rights have not been completely given to Chechens. There is still horror every day as long as the two countries are at war. There will be no compromise until the end of the war has been created.
History Reflection
The case in Chechnya really opened my eyes to how today the brutal fight for independence is still going on in other parts of the world. The Chechen people risk their lives daily in hopes that they will someday be free
The civilians of Chechnya are denied the privileges that every human is entitled to such as the right to flee from heavy fighting, and the right to leave Chechnya during war. With bombs exploding constantly and people dying everyday, the civilians are still not allowed to leave. Human rights and other liberties have been stolen from these helpless people, which contrast with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued by the United Nations. During the wars, the Chechen people were tortured unmercifully, which is similar to the holocaust, seeing as these people are treated as if non-human. They are treated as if they are a detached being of the human race that does not deserve human rights.
Humanism, the idea that all individuals matter, is not a concept used in Chechnya during these awful times of war. On the contrary, the civilians are treated like a tool of warfare and are killed more than the soldiers themselves. To Russia, a person is just another obstacle they would have to get around to, to use, to kill. A single human being means nothing, whether it is a strong older person or a small child. It does not matter if they have thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams for that could all end tomorrow.
After reading about the case in Chechnya, I was depressed but also very aware of how the cruelties of war affect the people of Chechnya. After all the fighting, all the pain, all the tears, the only thing they were granted was the liberty to elect a new leader. I was very shocked that we, the United States, have not stepped in to help these poor souls who have been hurt and overwhelmed with grief.
Over all, I thoughts this project was very enlightening to what is going on in the world. Many american teenagers only seem to care for what is happening in their lives and anything that affects them directly. After learning about this, I hope to be more aware of what is going on in other parts of the world and see if there is anything the United states is doing to help out in the fight for human rights!
The civilians of Chechnya are denied the privileges that every human is entitled to such as the right to flee from heavy fighting, and the right to leave Chechnya during war. With bombs exploding constantly and people dying everyday, the civilians are still not allowed to leave. Human rights and other liberties have been stolen from these helpless people, which contrast with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued by the United Nations. During the wars, the Chechen people were tortured unmercifully, which is similar to the holocaust, seeing as these people are treated as if non-human. They are treated as if they are a detached being of the human race that does not deserve human rights.
Humanism, the idea that all individuals matter, is not a concept used in Chechnya during these awful times of war. On the contrary, the civilians are treated like a tool of warfare and are killed more than the soldiers themselves. To Russia, a person is just another obstacle they would have to get around to, to use, to kill. A single human being means nothing, whether it is a strong older person or a small child. It does not matter if they have thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams for that could all end tomorrow.
After reading about the case in Chechnya, I was depressed but also very aware of how the cruelties of war affect the people of Chechnya. After all the fighting, all the pain, all the tears, the only thing they were granted was the liberty to elect a new leader. I was very shocked that we, the United States, have not stepped in to help these poor souls who have been hurt and overwhelmed with grief.
Over all, I thoughts this project was very enlightening to what is going on in the world. Many american teenagers only seem to care for what is happening in their lives and anything that affects them directly. After learning about this, I hope to be more aware of what is going on in other parts of the world and see if there is anything the United states is doing to help out in the fight for human rights!
Caleigh Tierney's reflection
After researching this ongoing event, I believe that Human Rights aren’t always regarded, and people’s rights are violated on a daily basis. Before researching this issue, I had thought that human rights were only being violated in Darfur, and maybe some small cases in other parts of the world. I didn’t think that it would be as extreme as it is in Chechnya. This relates to Chechnya because some of the same human rights were violated. Like the right to know why you are being legally detained, and the fact that they were illegally detained, and tortured. In the event that is going on with the Chechens, I don’t believe that the ideals of humanism are being supported, they are denying the principle to the people of Chechnya. The idea that all individuals matter is disregarded everyday, and the importance of individuality is lost. Chechens are killed, just because of their Chechens, and they believe that they are all against them. Even journalists who speak out, are brutally murdered in cold blood. So, the idea of humanism cannot be applied to Chechnya at all/. On leadership I believe that you need a strong, and fair ruler, not one that makes decisions for everybody, but discusses it. I don’t really believe in leaders, unless its in a form of a democracy. In this situation, the leader, Putin, was bot a good one. He was anything but fair to the Chechens, and just tortured them, trying to convince them to join the rest of the country. Yes I pity the victims, because they were wronged, and treated horribly. The events that took place, aren’t, and will never be justified. In fact, theres no way these acts against the Chechens can ever be justified. They violated their human rights. There aren’t any peacekeeping efforts in any countries right now to begin with. They aren’t acceptable in e first place, because the efforts of peace aren’t a priority, and nobody makes the effort to uphold the efforts, and protect the rights of people. So the peacekeeping efforts in sovereign countries aren’t acceptable to me at all. First of all, the government wouldn’t allow the United Nations to intervene with the sovereignty of the United States, so it wouldn’t happen. And I don’t think that anything that The UN wanted to change, the government. Even though it is their right, I don’t believe that the United Nations has the right to intervene in our country. I think that they can do it to other countries, because America hasn’t been that bad, and I believe that in America, we try to be fair, and do make an effort to uphold peacekeeping efforts, unlike other countries such as Chechnya, and Darfur. Like America even tries to help those devastated countries. So in America’s case, I don’t believe that the United Nations has the right to intervene on the United States.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Second Chechnyan War-Kate's Personal Reflection
In Chechnya, the words "human rights" are totally ignored by the Russians. They have no respect nor pity for the thousands they have killed in cold blood. And why are they randomly killing innocent civilians? Chechnya wants to be free. They want a chance to be their own country, and Russia refuses to give them that chance. In turn, they are violating the rights that every person in the world is entitled to, and Putin and his followers don't care. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a good thing, but for some reason beyond my understanding, Putin has chosen to ignore it completly, and continue torturing people for no reason.
In the Holocaust, certain people were singled out for being 'subhuman', and were therefore eliminated. In the second Chechen war, the Russians are singling out an entire country. No one is safe from their wrath. They randomly pluck people from their homes, neglect to tell them where they are being taken or why, and are detained and tortured. In both the Holocaust and in the war happening now, human rights are swept aside and thrown in the garbage.
To Putin, this entire country has done wrong and deserves to be punished. Not only is it stereotypical, but it is also dangerous to those innocent standbyers who live in Chechnya. They are subjected to punishment that they don't deserve. There is only a small group that has done wrong, but they are not being hurt because of it. Even though Putin didn't send out anything like the Nuemberg laws, it is obvious to all that the Russians don't believe that the Chechens are worthy of equal treatment. Their torture of anyone they can get their hands on is proof of that.
I feel sorrow for these victims, and can't help feeling rage toward Putin and his followers. What is the world coming to when an elected leader randomly pulls people from the streets and shoots electricity through them when they did nothing to him? I also want to know how people in Russia are tolerating this from Putin, and why they don't take him out of office. He does kill anyone who dares speak out against him (he has sent assasins to kill 13 journalists since 2000), but that shouldn't stop people from raising up against him.
One of my main concerns is that this is not raising much alarm in the United States. We may be allies with Russia, but sitting by and letting this happen is just wrong. I didn't even know anything about what was happening until I started this project. After researching it a bit, I want to know why I didn't know about it before. Why don't journalists write about it? The West doesn't know a lot about what is happening, and I fear that it's going to be just like what happened with the Holocaust. At first, the United States ignored the Holocaust, thinking it wasn't a big deal. Obviously we were wrong. I believe the knowledge should be spread further, in order for more people to learn of this.
The United Nations has a job to keep the peace, and that's exactly what they should be doing at the moment. Invading a country and imposing on soverengty is necessary in this case. Everyone deserves a chance to their rights, and the Russian government is taking that away for no real reason. Times like these require the UN to reach out, and help those who have fallen. They should help, because if they don't, who will?
-Kate
In the Holocaust, certain people were singled out for being 'subhuman', and were therefore eliminated. In the second Chechen war, the Russians are singling out an entire country. No one is safe from their wrath. They randomly pluck people from their homes, neglect to tell them where they are being taken or why, and are detained and tortured. In both the Holocaust and in the war happening now, human rights are swept aside and thrown in the garbage.
To Putin, this entire country has done wrong and deserves to be punished. Not only is it stereotypical, but it is also dangerous to those innocent standbyers who live in Chechnya. They are subjected to punishment that they don't deserve. There is only a small group that has done wrong, but they are not being hurt because of it. Even though Putin didn't send out anything like the Nuemberg laws, it is obvious to all that the Russians don't believe that the Chechens are worthy of equal treatment. Their torture of anyone they can get their hands on is proof of that.
I feel sorrow for these victims, and can't help feeling rage toward Putin and his followers. What is the world coming to when an elected leader randomly pulls people from the streets and shoots electricity through them when they did nothing to him? I also want to know how people in Russia are tolerating this from Putin, and why they don't take him out of office. He does kill anyone who dares speak out against him (he has sent assasins to kill 13 journalists since 2000), but that shouldn't stop people from raising up against him.
One of my main concerns is that this is not raising much alarm in the United States. We may be allies with Russia, but sitting by and letting this happen is just wrong. I didn't even know anything about what was happening until I started this project. After researching it a bit, I want to know why I didn't know about it before. Why don't journalists write about it? The West doesn't know a lot about what is happening, and I fear that it's going to be just like what happened with the Holocaust. At first, the United States ignored the Holocaust, thinking it wasn't a big deal. Obviously we were wrong. I believe the knowledge should be spread further, in order for more people to learn of this.
The United Nations has a job to keep the peace, and that's exactly what they should be doing at the moment. Invading a country and imposing on soverengty is necessary in this case. Everyone deserves a chance to their rights, and the Russian government is taking that away for no real reason. Times like these require the UN to reach out, and help those who have fallen. They should help, because if they don't, who will?
-Kate
Russia and the case of Chechnya- Personal Reflection (Christina Garbarino)
To put it simply, even basic human rights are not respected. Evidently, many people do not abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued by the United Nations. Even if it is a great idea to have a universal declaration, there is no way that we can get everyone to follow it. There are your everyday basic crimes against humanity, but Putin took them to the extremes. It is incomprehensible to me exactly why so many people do not follow the declaration. There is no explanation that will make it okay. Already, so many people were tortured and killed by the masses, and nothing can make up for this. This information is only for my topic, Chechnya, I cannot even imagine how many times people disobeyed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights combined with all the other topics.
This relates to the Holocaust because in both, people were treated like subhumans. The Holocaust singled out different people within the nation, while the case of Chechnya singled out a whole nation. People should always have the right to independence and liberty, and both those targeted by the Holocaust and the Chechens were denied of this right. With the Holocaust, Jews were put into concentration camps that had routine cleanup operations, and in Chechnya, the Russian secret police go right to the detainees house, to take them away without a proper explanation. Overall, these two events relate because the human rights were completely ignored in both.
The case of Chechnya completely denies the principle of humanism, that all individuals matter. Putin has made land and power more important than human lives. Russia classifies all Chechens as terrorists and rebels, when it is only a specific group of people. They detain thousands of people without having any evidence against them. It is interesting that humanism is even brought up here because it is the thing the Russia keeps denying Chechens of. They just want to be an independent country, not a republic, but Russia absolutely refuses. Russia will do anything, including violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to keep Chechnya a republic. Russia will not take into consideration any individual opinions or criticizing. They kill anyone who has a radical idea. For example, Russia has killed 13 opinionated journalists since 2000. This goes without mentioning, but if all individuals matter, then why is Russia detaining, torturing, raping, threatening, and killing them by the masses?
This event makes me seriously doubt putting trust in the leaders of this world. Similar to the war criminals on trial at Nuremburg, I cannot conceive why they do not disobey Putin. I understand the fear of being killed, but why cant the take a stand together? Do they take pleasure in torturing people? If they all gained up on Putin, they could stop the violence. I feel that the victims have done there fair share of crime too, but the Russians aren’t punishing the right people, or in the morally right way. They randomly choose people to detain, so those victims definitely do not deserve it. They especially do not deserve what goes on after they are detained, torture, rape, worried family members. Then, on top of that, the only way to get out of a crime they did not commit is to give the Russians money or valuables.
I definitely feel sorrow for the victims of this event. What saddens me even more, is that it is still going on. Nothing has been resolved. I wish that the world could find strong evidence against Putin, but he continues to hide it. One day though, he is going to forget to cover up his footprints, and he will be punished. Putin can send his men to kill anyone, even those innocent journalists, or the former Russian spy, and get away with it. There is no justification for the actions of Russia. They should have a meeting with Chechen leaders to discuss both sides of the story, and why the Chechens deserve independence.
Yes, the United Nations needs to keep the peace. If leaders of huge sovereign countries like Russia cant obey something so basic as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, then someone has to take charge. Actually, I think that the U.N. needs to interfere more in Chechnya. They have not really been doing anything about it, except for an investigation in 2000. It is key for the U.N. to step in as a whole, so Russia cannot target one particular country. If the U.S. stepped in, we would be risking starting another Cold War. This way, many countries can interfere together without fear of being attacked. Russia cannot target all of those countries at once. As long as all that the UN is doing is keeping the peace, without any personal involvement, it is completely acceptable and wanted.
It would be okay for the U.N. to step into the sovereignty of the U.S. as long as we were in a time of need. If we were having such issues with ruling ourselves that we were breaking the Declaration of Human Rights constantly, and our own citizens were suffering, the U.N. would be welcome to help. The U.N. obviously cannot have control over every sovereign country, it would not be fair. However, peacekeeping efforts are important and necessary for the well being of the world.
-Christina
This relates to the Holocaust because in both, people were treated like subhumans. The Holocaust singled out different people within the nation, while the case of Chechnya singled out a whole nation. People should always have the right to independence and liberty, and both those targeted by the Holocaust and the Chechens were denied of this right. With the Holocaust, Jews were put into concentration camps that had routine cleanup operations, and in Chechnya, the Russian secret police go right to the detainees house, to take them away without a proper explanation. Overall, these two events relate because the human rights were completely ignored in both.
The case of Chechnya completely denies the principle of humanism, that all individuals matter. Putin has made land and power more important than human lives. Russia classifies all Chechens as terrorists and rebels, when it is only a specific group of people. They detain thousands of people without having any evidence against them. It is interesting that humanism is even brought up here because it is the thing the Russia keeps denying Chechens of. They just want to be an independent country, not a republic, but Russia absolutely refuses. Russia will do anything, including violating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to keep Chechnya a republic. Russia will not take into consideration any individual opinions or criticizing. They kill anyone who has a radical idea. For example, Russia has killed 13 opinionated journalists since 2000. This goes without mentioning, but if all individuals matter, then why is Russia detaining, torturing, raping, threatening, and killing them by the masses?
This event makes me seriously doubt putting trust in the leaders of this world. Similar to the war criminals on trial at Nuremburg, I cannot conceive why they do not disobey Putin. I understand the fear of being killed, but why cant the take a stand together? Do they take pleasure in torturing people? If they all gained up on Putin, they could stop the violence. I feel that the victims have done there fair share of crime too, but the Russians aren’t punishing the right people, or in the morally right way. They randomly choose people to detain, so those victims definitely do not deserve it. They especially do not deserve what goes on after they are detained, torture, rape, worried family members. Then, on top of that, the only way to get out of a crime they did not commit is to give the Russians money or valuables.
I definitely feel sorrow for the victims of this event. What saddens me even more, is that it is still going on. Nothing has been resolved. I wish that the world could find strong evidence against Putin, but he continues to hide it. One day though, he is going to forget to cover up his footprints, and he will be punished. Putin can send his men to kill anyone, even those innocent journalists, or the former Russian spy, and get away with it. There is no justification for the actions of Russia. They should have a meeting with Chechen leaders to discuss both sides of the story, and why the Chechens deserve independence.
Yes, the United Nations needs to keep the peace. If leaders of huge sovereign countries like Russia cant obey something so basic as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, then someone has to take charge. Actually, I think that the U.N. needs to interfere more in Chechnya. They have not really been doing anything about it, except for an investigation in 2000. It is key for the U.N. to step in as a whole, so Russia cannot target one particular country. If the U.S. stepped in, we would be risking starting another Cold War. This way, many countries can interfere together without fear of being attacked. Russia cannot target all of those countries at once. As long as all that the UN is doing is keeping the peace, without any personal involvement, it is completely acceptable and wanted.
It would be okay for the U.N. to step into the sovereignty of the U.S. as long as we were in a time of need. If we were having such issues with ruling ourselves that we were breaking the Declaration of Human Rights constantly, and our own citizens were suffering, the U.N. would be welcome to help. The U.N. obviously cannot have control over every sovereign country, it would not be fair. However, peacekeeping efforts are important and necessary for the well being of the world.
-Christina
Li Ying's 5 paragraph Reflection
Li Ying Lu
Period 3
6/8/07
Reflection for the Russia and the case of Chechnya Blog
Before starting this blog with my other group members for part of the history final, I didn’t even know about the case of Chechnya, or rather I didn’t even know what it was. Like Lauren said in the introduction of our blog, “Many people are oblivious to the many wars around us.” I really agree with that statement because I guess, like most other schools in the United States, we are taught about the 2 World Wars, the Civil War, the Revolutionary and etc., but few people have heard of the cases of human rights that we have been discussing recently in class. Also, not a lot of people know that there are human rights issues all over the world that are happening recently through the 1900s. I do not understand how every person on this planet is human but they can treat each other as less superior or unwilling to grant a country’s independence and shed blood. I think that this is a good way to help us get ready for the essay on the history final.
Countries go to war for many reasons but mainly for independence from another country. Chechnya was one of them. It is a small federal subject of Russia but it has not gained independence yet although they do have their own president and an unofficial capital. In some ways, I thought that this war is a little bit like our current war and others among history. During this war leaders used terrorist attacks on Russian cities and civilians. The war that we are fighting with Iraq right now also the result of terrorist attacks on 9/11. Chechnya leaders also used guerilla tactics much like people did in other wars such as Charles De Gaulle. He led the Free French movement against the Vichy regime. I feel that most wars are similar in tactics/strategies but I think that it is wrong to use guerilla or terrorist attacks on any nation in order to gain independence. Many innocent people were killed during the First and Second Chechen Wars and also including the Moscow theater siege and the Beslan School siege.
This was basically a research project. I liked the idea of doing a blog because I also keep a blog and xanga online and post daily. I thought it was really cool posting information to a blog that is linked to the school’s website so that anyone who accesses it can see the human rights situations that our history classes have been working on. Also, anyone is free to comment so we can know about their own opinions and ideas, even the posters on the blog themselves. I thought that Russia and the Case of Chechnya was a completely random “topic” because I mostly heard of the other topics but not this one. The research part was OK, but the group project is really nice because it is definitely easier for 5 people to do one final project than for one person to do one final project. One difficult thing was that people had trouble posting the things onto the blog. Also this project was done online and similar to a website and I really like it.
Yesterday when I was posting on the blog, another group had posted their pictures and I thought it was interesting that President Bush was very strong allies with the Russian president Putin. I thought that the United States and Russia were probably still on edges about World War 2 and the Cold War so I was surprised that the 2 leaders of the 2 different countries were allies with each other. I thought that our country supported the idea of independence because we had wars over it to free ourselves from Great Britain a very long time ago and help another country gain its independence instead of helping a country that kind of turned its back on us.
One thing that has been bothering me while doing this project was seeing Andrea’s post on the blog just now. Like every war, civilians are the innocent people that are caught in the crossfire when the leaders of the country made the decisions. There was a picture that was drawn by a refugee’s child during the war in Chechnya. It is shocking to say that the human rights of life ,equality and government were denied from the Chechnya people. In conlcusion, I thought this project was fun but it was a little disturbing to find out more is happening in the real world that we do not know about.
Period 3
6/8/07
Reflection for the Russia and the case of Chechnya Blog
Before starting this blog with my other group members for part of the history final, I didn’t even know about the case of Chechnya, or rather I didn’t even know what it was. Like Lauren said in the introduction of our blog, “Many people are oblivious to the many wars around us.” I really agree with that statement because I guess, like most other schools in the United States, we are taught about the 2 World Wars, the Civil War, the Revolutionary and etc., but few people have heard of the cases of human rights that we have been discussing recently in class. Also, not a lot of people know that there are human rights issues all over the world that are happening recently through the 1900s. I do not understand how every person on this planet is human but they can treat each other as less superior or unwilling to grant a country’s independence and shed blood. I think that this is a good way to help us get ready for the essay on the history final.
Countries go to war for many reasons but mainly for independence from another country. Chechnya was one of them. It is a small federal subject of Russia but it has not gained independence yet although they do have their own president and an unofficial capital. In some ways, I thought that this war is a little bit like our current war and others among history. During this war leaders used terrorist attacks on Russian cities and civilians. The war that we are fighting with Iraq right now also the result of terrorist attacks on 9/11. Chechnya leaders also used guerilla tactics much like people did in other wars such as Charles De Gaulle. He led the Free French movement against the Vichy regime. I feel that most wars are similar in tactics/strategies but I think that it is wrong to use guerilla or terrorist attacks on any nation in order to gain independence. Many innocent people were killed during the First and Second Chechen Wars and also including the Moscow theater siege and the Beslan School siege.
This was basically a research project. I liked the idea of doing a blog because I also keep a blog and xanga online and post daily. I thought it was really cool posting information to a blog that is linked to the school’s website so that anyone who accesses it can see the human rights situations that our history classes have been working on. Also, anyone is free to comment so we can know about their own opinions and ideas, even the posters on the blog themselves. I thought that Russia and the Case of Chechnya was a completely random “topic” because I mostly heard of the other topics but not this one. The research part was OK, but the group project is really nice because it is definitely easier for 5 people to do one final project than for one person to do one final project. One difficult thing was that people had trouble posting the things onto the blog. Also this project was done online and similar to a website and I really like it.
Yesterday when I was posting on the blog, another group had posted their pictures and I thought it was interesting that President Bush was very strong allies with the Russian president Putin. I thought that the United States and Russia were probably still on edges about World War 2 and the Cold War so I was surprised that the 2 leaders of the 2 different countries were allies with each other. I thought that our country supported the idea of independence because we had wars over it to free ourselves from Great Britain a very long time ago and help another country gain its independence instead of helping a country that kind of turned its back on us.
One thing that has been bothering me while doing this project was seeing Andrea’s post on the blog just now. Like every war, civilians are the innocent people that are caught in the crossfire when the leaders of the country made the decisions. There was a picture that was drawn by a refugee’s child during the war in Chechnya. It is shocking to say that the human rights of life ,equality and government were denied from the Chechnya people. In conlcusion, I thought this project was fun but it was a little disturbing to find out more is happening in the real world that we do not know about.
Death in Grozny
This are some pictures of the brutality in Groznya. 70,000 people were killed in the massacre.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
The EU
These are the flags of the countries who are a part of the European Union. After Eastern Europe was redrawn, some of the new independent countries became a part of the EU, not including Chechnya.Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Dzhokhar Dudayev
This was the Chechen president Dzhokhar Dudayev who was killed in 1995 by Russian rockets.Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Has there been any resolution, or has anyone been brought to justice for this crime?
At the time of the Cold War, the US and Russia were intense rivals, as two of the most powerful countries in the world. Now that we are finally in a period of rest, the two countries are desperate to maintain the peace. One investigation was issued in by the United Nation officials in 2000. They looked into possible human rights abuses made by Russian troops and Chechen rebels, but there was no one brought to justice.
Currently, there is a huge concern that another arms race is going to break out as a result of Putin’s standpoint. He threatened to point missiles on Europe if the US builds a missile defense shield close to Russia’s borders. Putin said, “If the American nuclear capability widens across European territory, we will have to give ourselves new targets in Europe.” Putin also refers to the US actions as “imperialist”.
As you can see, the case of Chechnya will be an ongoing crisis because no country wants to interfere with Russia’s inner conflicts, especially the United States. They feel threatened by Putin and his power-seeking attitude. The world looks away, pretends not to see it just so they can keep the peace with Russian president Putin. Other nations will not face these horrible atrocities, but instead redirect their focus on the misrepresented “war on terror”. The Chechens just want full sovereignty, to keep economic and social ties with Russia, and a constitutional base. The West sides with strong Russia, trying to prevent another Cold War from occurring.
(http://www.curevents.com/vb/showthread.php?t=75753)
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Currently, there is a huge concern that another arms race is going to break out as a result of Putin’s standpoint. He threatened to point missiles on Europe if the US builds a missile defense shield close to Russia’s borders. Putin said, “If the American nuclear capability widens across European territory, we will have to give ourselves new targets in Europe.” Putin also refers to the US actions as “imperialist”.
As you can see, the case of Chechnya will be an ongoing crisis because no country wants to interfere with Russia’s inner conflicts, especially the United States. They feel threatened by Putin and his power-seeking attitude. The world looks away, pretends not to see it just so they can keep the peace with Russian president Putin. Other nations will not face these horrible atrocities, but instead redirect their focus on the misrepresented “war on terror”. The Chechens just want full sovereignty, to keep economic and social ties with Russia, and a constitutional base. The West sides with strong Russia, trying to prevent another Cold War from occurring.
(http://www.curevents.com/vb/showthread.php?t=75753)
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
When did this event occur? What was the result of this event?
This event continues to occur from the 1990s until current day. There have been two wars in Chechnya since 1994. The first Chechen war lasted from 1994-1996. The Russians did not want Chechnya to secede, and they sent in massive amounts of manpower to stop it. Despite their best efforts, Chechnya prevailed, and was declared a republic by Boris Yeltsin, president of Russia at the time. In that two year span, 7,500 Russians were killed, 4,000 Chechens were killed, and over 35,000 civilians were killed. A few years later, in 1999, Russia invaded Chechnya in the attempt to regain control over the republic. The fear is that if Chechnya is independent, then Russia will start to lose other areas as well. The war is ongoing, but the Russians have managed to take control and install a pro-Russian government in Chechnya. The separatists are fighting back though. An estimated 15,000 Russians have died to date. The losses for the Chechens, however, are much higher. Estimates range from tens of thousands to one hundred thousand dead or missing. These are mostly Chechen civilians. The majority of the large-scale fighting has been eliminated, and the rebels have shifted their fighting into other Russian territories. However, the struggle still remains in Chechnya.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Why were these people tortured or killed
Since 1999, the Russian government has claimed that they are only conducting an “anti-terrorist” operation. They say that they are trying to prevent terrorist attacks in Europe. Police and military servicemen carry out sweep operations in Chechnya to seize illegal weapons and find people who could be conspirators with Chechen rebels. However, there is no justification. During these sweeps, Russian soldiers detain large numbers of men at random. There is no proof that they were planning a rebellion. There is only a chance they can be released later, only after giving the Russians money, ammunition, or weapons.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Who was involved
There is no evidence for sure that the Russian government leadership is conducting this event, but it can be assumed. Russia seems to be getting away with this by limiting the proof of their actions. They do things under the table and hide the evidence, denying having to do with it. For example, thousands of homes have been searched by Russian troops, taking all valubles. But of course there are no official records of most of these searches. They continue to cover up their footprints, destroying all evidence. An example of this is when they detain people. More often than not, the dissappeared people are last seen in custody of Russian troops. Russia seems to be getting away with this by limiting the proof of their actions. They do things under the table and hide the evidence, denying having to do with it. But, it is obvious that the government is killing anyone who has to do with it.
The second Chechen war was started by Vladimir Putin, current president of Russia. It started off as a very popular movement, but according to a 2007 poll, 70% of people in Russia believe this should stop. There was never anything issued in Russia that stated the Chechens were inferior, yet one wonders why so many innocent civilians were killed. The fact is that even though nothing similar to the Nuremberg laws was ever issued, there was, and still are major violations of human rights occurring in Chechnya today. The most common case of violations is the numerous interrogations and torturing of innocent standbyers. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, cruel, inhumane punishments are not to be used on prisoners. Yet, the Russian government continues the use of these every day. People are dragged from their homes without being told where they are being taken or why, and are subjected to horrible punishments and threats. These range from threatening to hurt the victim's family to making a victim suffer powerful electric shocks. Putin and his followers have violated these people's human rights, but nothing is being done about it.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
The second Chechen war was started by Vladimir Putin, current president of Russia. It started off as a very popular movement, but according to a 2007 poll, 70% of people in Russia believe this should stop. There was never anything issued in Russia that stated the Chechens were inferior, yet one wonders why so many innocent civilians were killed. The fact is that even though nothing similar to the Nuremberg laws was ever issued, there was, and still are major violations of human rights occurring in Chechnya today. The most common case of violations is the numerous interrogations and torturing of innocent standbyers. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, cruel, inhumane punishments are not to be used on prisoners. Yet, the Russian government continues the use of these every day. People are dragged from their homes without being told where they are being taken or why, and are subjected to horrible punishments and threats. These range from threatening to hurt the victim's family to making a victim suffer powerful electric shocks. Putin and his followers have violated these people's human rights, but nothing is being done about it.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
What happened that compromised human rights?
The case of Chechnya, also referred to as the “Dirty War” is repeatedly compromising several human rights. Basic human rights, such as the right to life, liberty and property were dishonored. Chechen people were captured and killed for no apparent reason because the Russian government wanted to keep them under control. In addition, people were subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. People were often subjected to privacy, family, home or correspondence. People are detained in the nighttime by Russian speaking masked men. Their homes were surrounded by Russian secret police during the night without any identification, and were detained without being told why. After this, they were tortured, interrogated, raped, and/or murdered. This was all done to prevent revolt, or because the Russian government unquestionable power felt threatened by the people.
One of the worst violations forced upon every Chechen is that they are not allowed to leave the country without identification papers. Chechens, unlike citizens of the freed Baltic states, cannot cross Europe’s borders freely. There are “zachisti”, or cleanup operations in which Russians check Chechens identity papers. However, it doesn’t end here. The torture, ransom, disappearance, and execution of humans is common ground there. The survivors of these cleanup operations are raided and forced into poorer situations.
From 1991 until the present, Chechnya has suffered 2 full-scale assaults by Russia’s military. The plan of Russia is to decrease Chechnya’s population by starving it’s people and having them obey all the Russian demands. Russian troops detain tens of thousands of people without officially registering them as detainees. Russian troops have freely entered and searched thousands of homes-frequently stripping them bare of valuables-but no official record is acknowledged to exist for the vast majority of these searches.
Typical behavior of the Russian federal forces is extrajudicial (outside the authority of a court) detentions, interrogations, torture, and executions. This is done in attempt to gain control over the supposed Chechen allies who are considered radical, and a threat to the Russian control. Kadyrov has over 10 units to hold and torture detainees, which are unlawful, and often held on private property throughout Chechnya. The detainees and their families often don’t receive information about why they were detained, and usually are kidnapped at night, after the secret police breaks in without any papers or explanations as to why they are there. A lot of the time, most of the people are released, and without having any charges against them. They are released with the promise of getting tortured even worse, unless they keep their mouths shut. Kadyrov also used illegal tactics to obtain information from the detainees; such as electrocution, and beating prisoners. Most of the prisoners have been detained for either days or weeks in detention facilities. All of the people that had spoken to the Human Rights Watch that had been illegally detained in Russia, have either said that they were subjected to brutal beatings, and were often tortured. They were also electrocuted, and would have wires attached to their extremities or other parts, where they would receive the shocks.
When the word Chechnya is said, many will think of the infamous Chechen rebels. Not only does Russia intentionally inflict pain on Chechens, but Chechen separatist have turned to violent action as well in Russia. Chechen rebels often take people hostage in attempt to draw attention to their petition to be separated from Russian colonization. The Chechens have always been traditionally resistant to outside rule. They often take people hostages, but this is usually in response to Russian actions. Also, Chechens have been fighting back, breaking the human rights themselves. In Vladikavkaz, Russia, 6 of Russian servicemen have been killed, along with 15 others, who were wounded from some confrontations in Chechnya. The majority of them were killed within a 24-hour period, at official Russian checkpoints and positions. Russian troops have held over fifty suspected rebels and their accomplices.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
One of the worst violations forced upon every Chechen is that they are not allowed to leave the country without identification papers. Chechens, unlike citizens of the freed Baltic states, cannot cross Europe’s borders freely. There are “zachisti”, or cleanup operations in which Russians check Chechens identity papers. However, it doesn’t end here. The torture, ransom, disappearance, and execution of humans is common ground there. The survivors of these cleanup operations are raided and forced into poorer situations.
From 1991 until the present, Chechnya has suffered 2 full-scale assaults by Russia’s military. The plan of Russia is to decrease Chechnya’s population by starving it’s people and having them obey all the Russian demands. Russian troops detain tens of thousands of people without officially registering them as detainees. Russian troops have freely entered and searched thousands of homes-frequently stripping them bare of valuables-but no official record is acknowledged to exist for the vast majority of these searches.
Typical behavior of the Russian federal forces is extrajudicial (outside the authority of a court) detentions, interrogations, torture, and executions. This is done in attempt to gain control over the supposed Chechen allies who are considered radical, and a threat to the Russian control. Kadyrov has over 10 units to hold and torture detainees, which are unlawful, and often held on private property throughout Chechnya. The detainees and their families often don’t receive information about why they were detained, and usually are kidnapped at night, after the secret police breaks in without any papers or explanations as to why they are there. A lot of the time, most of the people are released, and without having any charges against them. They are released with the promise of getting tortured even worse, unless they keep their mouths shut. Kadyrov also used illegal tactics to obtain information from the detainees; such as electrocution, and beating prisoners. Most of the prisoners have been detained for either days or weeks in detention facilities. All of the people that had spoken to the Human Rights Watch that had been illegally detained in Russia, have either said that they were subjected to brutal beatings, and were often tortured. They were also electrocuted, and would have wires attached to their extremities or other parts, where they would receive the shocks.
When the word Chechnya is said, many will think of the infamous Chechen rebels. Not only does Russia intentionally inflict pain on Chechens, but Chechen separatist have turned to violent action as well in Russia. Chechen rebels often take people hostage in attempt to draw attention to their petition to be separated from Russian colonization. The Chechens have always been traditionally resistant to outside rule. They often take people hostages, but this is usually in response to Russian actions. Also, Chechens have been fighting back, breaking the human rights themselves. In Vladikavkaz, Russia, 6 of Russian servicemen have been killed, along with 15 others, who were wounded from some confrontations in Chechnya. The majority of them were killed within a 24-hour period, at official Russian checkpoints and positions. Russian troops have held over fifty suspected rebels and their accomplices.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Historical Events
After the Cold War (mid 1940s-1990s) between the United States and Russia, Eastern Europe was completely redrawn. The US victory had extremely weakened Russia’s economy, and they were no longer strong enough to stay united as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. The fall of the Berlin wall signaled this end of the USSR. It was clear that Russia was no longer strong enough to keep its followers. Eastern Europe was divided into over twelve new countries.
Most were made into Euro-Atlantic defense structures. Others were adopted into the European Union. However, Chechnya was very different. Western rulers sought to please Russian president Vladimir Putin by allowing Russian occupation of Chechnya. The Russian brutal military response was to a second war of Moscow in the Caucasus, which has been going on for 6 years.
A national independence movement came out during the restructuring of the Soviet economy and bureacracy in the 1980s. There had been strong feelings in Chechnya in favor of seperation from Russia. They even ratified a national consensus for succession in 1991. A similar situation was in the larger countries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. With them though, the USSR’s Supreme Soviet quickly approved of the vote. As a result, these countries became a part of the UN without barely any problems. The disadvantage of Chechnya though, was it’s size of 15,000 square kilometers and smaller population of 1 million.
Currently, the Russian government claims to base their operations in Chechnya off of the 1998 Law on the Suppression of Terrorism and the 1996 Law on Defense. However, the focus should not be on Russia being the victim of terrorism here. They are causing this resistance by being inflexible. They want to keep Chechnya as a republic instead of letting them be independent like all the other states. Russia is making the Chechens severe victims.
Russia’s suspicion of Chechnya dates back to the 1940s. In 1944, Stalin deported thousands of Chechens to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Stalin was suspicious that the Chechens were collaborating with Germany. Then in 1957 the Chechen-Ingush republic was reestablished, and Chechens could return home. In 1991 elected Chechen president Dzhokhar Dudayev declared Chechnya independent. However, Russian president Boris Yeltsin would not recognize Chechnya as independent, and even sent troops, who withdrew after facing armed Chechens. Then in 1995, Dudayev was killed by Russian rockets, and in response, Chechens took Russians hostage. One of the most important events since the start of this in the 1990s, was Chechens counteroffensive to Russian occupation of Grozny in 1996. 5,000 Chechen troops invaded Grozny, and the Russians agreed to ceasefire, and withdrew. This was a major event, with mass killing of a total of 70,000 people. The case of Chechnya is still a current event today, with continued killing, detaining, and Chechen rebellion.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Most were made into Euro-Atlantic defense structures. Others were adopted into the European Union. However, Chechnya was very different. Western rulers sought to please Russian president Vladimir Putin by allowing Russian occupation of Chechnya. The Russian brutal military response was to a second war of Moscow in the Caucasus, which has been going on for 6 years.
A national independence movement came out during the restructuring of the Soviet economy and bureacracy in the 1980s. There had been strong feelings in Chechnya in favor of seperation from Russia. They even ratified a national consensus for succession in 1991. A similar situation was in the larger countries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. With them though, the USSR’s Supreme Soviet quickly approved of the vote. As a result, these countries became a part of the UN without barely any problems. The disadvantage of Chechnya though, was it’s size of 15,000 square kilometers and smaller population of 1 million.
Currently, the Russian government claims to base their operations in Chechnya off of the 1998 Law on the Suppression of Terrorism and the 1996 Law on Defense. However, the focus should not be on Russia being the victim of terrorism here. They are causing this resistance by being inflexible. They want to keep Chechnya as a republic instead of letting them be independent like all the other states. Russia is making the Chechens severe victims.
Russia’s suspicion of Chechnya dates back to the 1940s. In 1944, Stalin deported thousands of Chechens to Siberia and Kazakhstan. Stalin was suspicious that the Chechens were collaborating with Germany. Then in 1957 the Chechen-Ingush republic was reestablished, and Chechens could return home. In 1991 elected Chechen president Dzhokhar Dudayev declared Chechnya independent. However, Russian president Boris Yeltsin would not recognize Chechnya as independent, and even sent troops, who withdrew after facing armed Chechens. Then in 1995, Dudayev was killed by Russian rockets, and in response, Chechens took Russians hostage. One of the most important events since the start of this in the 1990s, was Chechens counteroffensive to Russian occupation of Grozny in 1996. 5,000 Chechen troops invaded Grozny, and the Russians agreed to ceasefire, and withdrew. This was a major event, with mass killing of a total of 70,000 people. The case of Chechnya is still a current event today, with continued killing, detaining, and Chechen rebellion.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Lauren's Reflection
I thought that the project was fun and really helped me get ready for the essay on the final. When my group picked the event that we were going to research we wanted to pick something that not that many other people had picked. We also wanted to pick something that we had never heard of before. I am pretty sure that have accomplished this because I never even knew that there was a place named
I thought that this project was good for us to do because it got us looking at cases of human rights issues. World War 2 was filled with the affects of human torture and maybe we just don’t look farther than the things right in front of our noses for problems, so this project helped us dig farther into the problems that we are facing. Maybe now we can better understand them.
Our group did
The only reason I didn’t like this project was that it was difficult to work in a group. No because of the people in the group but because not everybody had an email so it was difficult to organize everyone’s writing and get it posted. I also did not like that there were multiple groups doing each event. It was hard to differ the information your group had posted from theirs because not everyone put a name on their posts.
Overall I thought that this project was very helpful in preparing for the essay on the final because it taught you a lot about how human rights affected and still affects our world.
Putin on "thin ice"
This was an interesting polical cartoon of current Russian president Vladimir Putin. On the left, it says he's on "Thin Ice". This is an accurate metaphor of how he is tiptoeing around, just barely making it. Putin is trying to maintain unquestionable, complete control, and he could slip up anytime soon because he is not using his power correctly.Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Chechen rebels fight back
The Chechen rebels take action to draw attention to Chechnya's want for independence. They often take innocent Russian civilians hostage (top). This has even occured in schools and hospitals. The picture directly above is of the hotel in Istanbul, Turkey that Chechen rebels were taking hostages at. The 13 Chechen gunmen who did it later surrendered and were arrested.
Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Friday, June 8, 2007
former Russian spy killed
This was a former Russian spy named Alexander Litvinenko. He was poisoned in a hotel in London after "someone" slipped the isotope polonium 210 into his tea. It is assumed that the Russian government ordered the OAO Yukos to kill him. This happened in November 2006.Christina, Kate, Caleigh
journalist killed
This was a Russian journalist, known for her criticism of Putin and his handling of the situation in Chechnya. She was killed by assassins in her apartment. It is hard to believe that this occurred so recently on October 7, 2006 in Moscow. The assassins were believed to be professional and sent by the government. There were 13 other killings of journalists like her since 2000. This was a serious violation of freedom of speech.Christina, Kate, Caleigh
Chechnya’s civilians and the cruelty of the wars
Above: A refugee child's drawing of the war in chechnya (posted by Andrea, Li ying, Alanna, Lauren and Olivia)The rights of a human being have been made clear through out many years in history. Wars have been fought, people have died and the lives of many have been altered just for the thought of being free. Free to think and speak what is on one’s mind, the right to life and liberty, and equality in the government. These are the human rights that every person has been entitled to and these are the rights the people of Chechnya have been denied.
In Chechnya, a small subject in the federation of Russia, a war for independence has been raging on for many years. Many events have caused brutal battles (such as the first and second Chechen wars) which have virtually striped the people of Chechnya of their rights. During the first Chechen war (1994 to 1996), over 46,500 people were killed and about 35,000 of those deaths were civilians. In the second war, even more of Chechnya’s people killed, with an estimate of more than 250,000 civilians dead.
Civilians were treated horribly during the fight for independence. An example of the terrible deeds that terrorists have committed is the movie theater hostage, in which 300 innocent people were murdered. This disturbing and awful behavior toward civilians does not stop at terrorists. In the first war, males, anywhere from age ten to sixty were sent to “Filtration Camps” where they were tortured, beat and treated with extreme cruelty.
The children of Chechnya are largely affected by the wars in their homeland. Boys as young as ten years of age were trapped within the dangerous war zone not allowed to flee from bombing and heavy fighting during the first war. In refugee camps, there is no food, water or electricity and the people suffer through extreme cold in their dark, damp basements. Bombs are constantly exploding on civilian homes and killing many of the helpless refugees. Most children have become orphans or have been gravely injured or killed by bombings. For most, their education has come to a halt, limiting their future and they know nothing but war and destruction.
The bloody battles, constant bombings and inhumane treatment in Chechnya have affected the civilians more than anything ever will. The rights and the lives of these poor civilians have been taken away in the battle for independence. Explosions, tears and death consume the lives of every person and the hope that the war will soon commence is weakened with every harsh, painful and dangerous day.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Bush and Putin
These are photos of Russian president Putin (right) and George W. Bush. They are strong allies and are intending to keep it that way, despite Chechnya.Christina, Kate, Caliegh
map of chechnya
This is the approximate location of the Republic of Chechnya, controlled by Russia.
Christina, Kate, Caliegh
“disappeared”
These are people in Chechnya holding pictures of the last seen "disappeared" relatives. The Russian military, security, and law enforcement agencies deny the capture of this person. The family members have no proof because during the sweep operation, the men wore masks and showed no identification. Other times, the agencies will flat out lie to the relatives, saying their family member was released but then transferred to another facility. Any way, it is of no help to them, with no hope of locating them. Only once in a while are they actually able to find their family member.
Christina, Kate, Caliegh
Important Dates
Important Dates
Avar Imam Shamil fought Russia: 1834-1859
Chechens were allowed to go back to their homeland: 1957
Collapse of the Soviet Union: 1991
First Chechen War against Russia: 1994-1996
Russia declared a ceasefire: 1996
Russia signed a piece treaty with Chechnya: 1997
Second Chechen War against Russia: 1999-2003
All-Chechen referendum (losing): 2003
Russian special forces killed Abdul Khalim Saidullayev in a raid of a Chechen town: 2006
Former president, Alu Alkhanov, changed the name of the republic to Noxciyn: 2006
Ramzah Kadyrov (son of religious leader, Akhmad Kadyrov) was appointed prime minister: 2005
Ramzah Kadyrov was then appointed president: 2007
Avar Imam Shamil fought Russia: 1834-1859
Chechens were allowed to go back to their homeland: 1957
Collapse of the Soviet Union: 1991
First Chechen War against Russia: 1994-1996
Russia declared a ceasefire: 1996
Russia signed a piece treaty with Chechnya: 1997
Second Chechen War against Russia: 1999-2003
All-Chechen referendum (losing): 2003
Russian special forces killed Abdul Khalim Saidullayev in a raid of a Chechen town: 2006
Former president, Alu Alkhanov, changed the name of the republic to Noxciyn: 2006
Ramzah Kadyrov (son of religious leader, Akhmad Kadyrov) was appointed prime minister: 2005
Ramzah Kadyrov was then appointed president: 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Boris Yeltsin
Shamil Basayev
Above:Basayev (posted by liying/lauren/alanna/andrea/olivia)
Monday, June 4, 2007
The second war
This is a 9P140 Uragan rocket launcher in use during the second chechnya war. 
In 1999 the wars started again until 2003 when the Chechnya signed a constitution stating that they were part of Russia. It started when Russia went into the Chechen mountains to find refugees that were hiding out, but what they really wanted was to get revenge against their embarassing defeat three years before.
Currently, in 2007, the contries have taken a break from war and added the right to elect a president to the Chechnya constitution. But the Chechens have stooped to the level of using violence to gain their freedom. This violence includes Terrorism attacks on Moscow, which 300 people were killed in a movie theatre, and in a hospital where there were 100 killed. The killing still goes on even if the war has stopped.
Olivia P.
Aslan Maskhadov
Above: 2004 Ramadan (the month when Muslims fast)
Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev
Aslan Maskhadov and Shamil Basayev
(posted by liying/lauren/alanna/andrea/olivia)
Aslan Maskhadov was a prime minister (October 17, 1996), a former president (January 1997) and then later became a leader of Chechnya. Vakha Arsanov ran against him and became the vice-president .Many people give him credit for their victory at the First Chechen war which took place from 1994-1996. Maskhadov led their country’s delegation when having peace talks with Russia. They later had truce ending the war. As the president, the Chechen Constitution was adopted in March of 1992; the Chechen Republic was considered an independent state. During the elections, many countries from the United Nations attended. During the years of Chechen Independence, he gradually lost control to warlords as there were many organized crimes appearing around the country.
The Beginning of a War
In late1991 Chechnya declared independence from Russia. But the president at that time, Boris Yeltsin, did not send in troops to restore Russia’s control until 1994. These actions were what provoked the first Chechen war.
Some of the attacks during the earlier war were:
· 1991- In an attack lead by Shamil Basayev some Chechnya soldiers hijacked a plane in southern Russia and flew it up to turkey in an attempt to attract attention to their fight toward independence.
· In June of 1994 Basayev organized a hospital siege in southern Russia. 100 people were killed during the attack.
The biggest reason for the Chechens to want to go to war was so that they could have peace and stability. Some people in the country wanted independence or at least self-rule.
Once the first war was over, around the end of 1996, there were about 40,000 people dead. But the people of Chechnya were estatic that they were finally indecpendent and in January of 1997 they elected their own president, Aslan Maskhadov.
Some of the attacks during the earlier war were:
· 1991- In an attack lead by Shamil Basayev some Chechnya soldiers hijacked a plane in southern Russia and flew it up to turkey in an attempt to attract attention to their fight toward independence.
· In June of 1994 Basayev organized a hospital siege in southern Russia. 100 people were killed during the attack.
The biggest reason for the Chechens to want to go to war was so that they could have peace and stability. Some people in the country wanted independence or at least self-rule.
Once the first war was over, around the end of 1996, there were about 40,000 people dead. But the people of Chechnya were estatic that they were finally indecpendent and in January of 1997 they elected their own president, Aslan Maskhadov.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Introduction
Many people are oblivious to the many wars around us. Sure, they are fully informed of the things that happened to Europe during the first and second world wars and they learned all about American history including the American Revolution and the Civil War. However, then they think that the entire world has been free of wars since then. Well, all of these people have learned incorrectly. Just from 1945 to the turn of the century there were about 136 wars, in places all over the world. Sure, most of them lasted less than a year and were insignificant enough to make it into our infamous history textbooks, yet they still existed and played a big part in the makeup of our country today. In this blog we will talk about the events that happened in Chechnya, a small federal subject of Russia. Not much is known about this war that is going on still to this day but there is much to discover.
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