Saki Amagai and KyoRy Park

ETHNIC GROUPS IN RUSSIA Reference: CIA World Factbook

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS Russian Orthodox 15-20% Muslim 10-15% Other Christian 2% Reference: CIA World Factbook

Map of Chechnya Republic in southwestern Russia

CHECHENYA Chechen Republic Chechens : indigenous people native to North Caucasus Major language: Chechen, Russian Major religion: Islam (94%) Capital: Grozny Area 12,300 square km Population. (2008 est.) 1,209,040.

BRIEF HISTORY: Chechnya and Russia 1783 – Russia invaded the North Caucasus and to gain sovereignty over the region – the Russian government claimed sovereignty over the Chechen people – Chechens briefly escaped Russian dominion in the chaos of Russian Revolution – Chechen was forced back to Russian force by the Bolsheviks – Chechen nationalist Jokhar Dudaev organized protests of civil disobedience in Chechen’s capital, Grozny, and was elected as president of his region.

1994 – Russia sent forces to crush independence movement with poorly strategized plans – Peace plan: Russia withdrew its armies but did not give full independence. “War on terrorism” Putin BRIEF HISTORY: Chechnya and Russia

Russian Apartment Bombings 1999 A series of explosions by Chechen separatists. Apartments in Moscow, Buinaksk and Vologodonks were exploded. Killed over 300 people in total. Russia send troops back into Chechnya.

Moscow Theatre Siege 2002 Chechen separatist movement aimed to tilt the balance of power back in their favor. 912 hostages who came to watch Nord Ost remained captive in a large theatre in the Dubrovka theatre in Moscow for three days starting from 1October 23 rd. Russian special forces emitted toxic gas to end it; however it killed 125 hostages as well as the 40 attackers.

PUBLIC POLICY 2003 Chechen Constitutional Referendum

MANNER of CONSULTATION Referendum on March 23, 2003 Russia allowed the 477,000 voters in Chechnya to vote for the Moscow- backed referendum. Approval rate: 95.5% Voter turn out: 88% (source: the Economists) Was it entirely fair? Many Chechens were forced to vote for Moscow’s plans out of fear. “I appeal to all who value our long-suffering country, all who value the honor of our nation, to all our republic’s citizens to unite at this hard time and to openly delcare that here can be no alternative to an independent Chechen state.” Aslan Maskhadov (separatist leader)

STAKEHOLDERS 1. The Kremlin (government) Designed & Supported the Constitution 2. Separatists Have been longed for independence Aslan Maskhadov “The referendum is an important step in fighting devastation, a step towards order. I am convinced that a constitution adopted by the people is the foundation for a political settlement in Chechenya.” “For centuries our ancestors have not recognized power, and now they are trying to force us to vote at gunpoint”

“ I do not agree. Anyway, the outcome of the referendum has already been decided, so my vote does not count.” 3. Chechens (voters) Hoped optimistic future in their region Were forced to support OPPONENTS SUPPORTERS OPPONENTS SUPPORTERS 4. External organizations eg) OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) STAKEHOLDERS “I trusted them--they said on television that we should vote, so I voted.”

KEY DECISION MAKERS Chechen people (voters) REFERENDUM ->votes are counted ->the results are implemented The Kremlin (government) -wrote draft of the constitution - forced the voters to agree on the referendum

Beslan School Siege 2004 Chechen separatists stormed into number one school in Beslan, holding more than 1,000 children and adults hostage. They refused to allow food or water supplies into the school by surrounding the school with guns. 344 civilians were killed, 186 of them children, and more than 700 were wounded.

Current Issue 2008 February – Medvedev, Putin’s favored successor, wins 89% of the vote in Chechnya in a turnout of 91%: normalisation April – Russia declares the “counterterrorism operation” against Chechnya is over. “Normalized to a large degree” Medvedev

OUR THOUGHTS KyoRy: I think Russia should grant more rights or liberty to its federal states and minorities if it is calling itself a “democracy”. This referendum, since forced, does not show any democratic feature of Russia. But anyway, I think that Chechens got their own constitution, out of Russia’s, is a good thing. Saki: It’s very difficult to maintain peace when people in the country are from various nations with different religious beliefs. Though it’s hard to say the vote for the Constitution of Chechen Referendum 2003 was entirely fair, I think it was a peaceful attempt to maintain improve their relations.

Bibliography The vote of the dead souls, The Economist. March Retrieved on November 8 th from Ethnic group, Central Intelligence Agency Retrieved on November 7 th from Differential Demographics, Virginia Commonwealth University. December Retrieved on November 8 th from Chechens Vote In Constitutional Referendum, Online Newshour Update. March Retrieved on November 8 th from Regions and territories: Chechnya, BBC News. November Retrieved on December 8 th, 2012 fromhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/ stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/ stm Behind the Moscow Theatre, Time World. October Retrieved on December 8 th, 2012 fromhttp:// Russia announces Chechen Vote on New Constitution in March, New York Times. January Retrieved on December 8 th 2012 fromhttp:// constitution-in-march.htmlhttp:// constitution-in-march.html Beslan School Siege, BBC News. NA. Retrieved on December 8 th 2012 from

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1.Why do you think Putin wants Chechnya to stay within the Russian Federation even if he knows that conflicts are unavoidable? 2.If you were a citizen in Chechnya, would you have voted for or against the constitution in 2003?