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Inconvenient Independence
By Nicole Parrish, Florida
When my international relations' advisor told me that he could have easily been shot for having a camera and taking pictures while he was in Chechnya I was shocked. Shot for taking pictures? Why would photos of Chechnya be so sensitive? What would they reveal?
"I soon learned there was more behind Chechnya’s conflict with Russia than a mere territorial land battle. The Red Army would ensure that the Chechen people could never celebrate a day of independence. " -Nicole Parrish
Aside from a rebel bombing of a school in Russia, I had heard very little about the situation in this war-torn Russian territory. Sleepless nights researching the region's struggle for independence, I learned that the Red army would enter the capital city of Grozny, and even the bordering territory of Ingushetia with the sole purpose of kidnapping males deemed to be terrorists or potential threats to Russia.
Taken from their beds in the middle of the night, these men were stripped of their clothes and any other belongings. They would then be transported to hidden underground cells where they were tortured and beaten. They would be returned to their homes most often as corpses - their bodies a reminder that the people of Chechnya are not free and the fight for independence is a futile one.
The few images I did find of Chechnya, particularly Grozny, depicted a massive wasteland - a living graveyard. My mind raced. Why wasn't the international community doing anything to stop this? Where was the United Nations on this? Certainly these kinds of events would have had to be reported. I soon learned there was more behind Chechnya's conflict with Russia than a mere territorial land battle. The Red Army would ensure that the Chechen people could never celebrate a day of independence.
Where did the UN stand on Chechnya? After all, wasn't the UN established to protect the defenseless and to unite the world in peace and harmony? Was the UN just a utopian ideal? I'm certain that the founders never envisioned a day when political monopolies would become more important than the humanitarian needs of the voiceless whose fates would thereupon be overlooked.
While the United Nations offers functional opportunities for the international community to involve itself in some of the world's most pressing issues through its incorporation of Non-Governmental Organizations, and by allowing governments to seek out resolutions to global crises - the structure of the Security Council leaves much to be desired.
Established in 1945, it is the only organization within the UN that may take affirmative action, particularly with regards to peacekeeping. The Security Council consists of 15 member-states, of which only five are permanent - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These five nations are also known as ‘veto powers,' which establishes them as the ruling hierarch - kind of the infamous Powers That Be.
The structure of the Security Council, with particular regard to the veto powers has been one of history's greatest mistakes. It matters not how many nations agree on any resolution of any conflict when it takes only one member to override every single vote. Without unanimity, no resolution may be placed into action.
Although various UN representatives and human rights organizations have traveled to the war-torn regions of Chechnya and Ingushetia, the Russian Federation - a veto power has banned all humanitarian aid from entering the region, further repressing the Chechen people. Not considered genocide, the inherent humanitarian injustices occurring in that region every single day frighteningly parallels all of the criteria for genocide.
"AI’m certain that the founders [of the UN] never envisioned a day when political monopolies would become more important than the humanitarian needs of the voiceless whose fates would thereupon be overlooked.quot; -JNicole Parrish
While the Commission on Human Rights has urged there be the creation of a comprehensive resolution affirming the safety of the Chechens and the General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security has frequently drawn up proposal after proposal dealing with the rebel groups and violent perpetrators of injustice in this ongoing conflict, the ultimate fate of the Chechen people rests solely on the shoulders of five nations. Unfortunately, Russia refuses to allow resolutions focused upon humanitarian aid and reconstruction of the region to see the light of day.
Without objectivity in addressing conflicts in the Security Council it is safe to assume that the Chechen conflict will remain just that - an inhumane crisis not unlike the crises in Darfur, Tibet, Somalia. Because of an imbalance of power and an incapacity to act on matters without unanimity, these and other areas around the world will remain vulnerable to violence and their respective conflicts will remain unresolved and without peace.
