STAVROPOL, Russia -- The latest round of fighting in Chechnya clearly demonstrates that neither the Russian federal forces nor the rebels are concerned about the mounting number of civilian casualties.
In the runup to last month's elections to the Russian Federal Duma, only one issue dominated the debate among the candidates: How best to protect "our children, " Russian soldiers fighting in Chechnya.
No one was talking about protecting "the children" of those citizens of the Russian Federation who happen to be Chechen.
Chechens are the victims of appalling treatment. It appears that no one will be held to account for mass murder occurring in Chechnya today. The desire to preserve the "unity of the state" has taken precedence over everything else.
The human rights of Chechen people are violated throughout Russia on a daily basis. Their access to justice, representation at all levels of government and equal opportunities in the job market are routinely denied.
Meanwhile, a new generation has emerged inside Russia over the last ten years that sees Chechens as aliens at best and enemies at worst. Russia has abandoned the Soviet-era sense of internationalism, which at least purported to protect and respect ethnic minorities. Russian soldiers fighting in Chechnya today are filled with hatred for the people there.
Those living inside the villages in Chechnya today are trapped
between two opposing forces which they are unable to appease.
They know that every attack by the rebels on Russia forces will
provoke withering retaliation against rebels and civilians alike.
Sometimes, they'll try persuade the rebels to leave their villages.
Occasionally they succeed. But when the dialogue fails, they're
left with no option but to flee themselves. These refugees are
left cursing all involved in the conflict -- the Russian army,
former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, Chechen President Aslan
Maskhadov and the rebel fighters.
In Chechnya today, human rights and humanitarian concerns are not even considered. Russia operates on a policy of state terrorism. The rebels care only for themselves.
Everyone asks the same question: Where will it all end? The answer seems clear. Russia will annihilate the rebels, irrespective of civilian casualties. Maskhadov will probably spend the rest of his life as a president in exile.
For most Chechens today, there is a growing sense of despair. They have watched their country descend into lawlessness, where every dispute was resolved by force of arms, and criminals flourished. They realize they have probably lost the chance to live in their own country, free of Moscow's bidding.
Yet, they realize they will never become full citizens of Russia, enjoying equal rights and protection. And Russians realize they will never be welcomed in Chechnya.
Hatred and mutual suspicion between the two peoples will persist.
Dr Kharon Deniev is a human rights advocate, senior member
of the Chechen-Ingush community of Stavropol and a writer for
the Institute for War & Peace
Reporting, a London-based independent media organization.