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Russia`s Parliament approves amnesty for Chechen rebels
Moscow, June 06: Russia`s lower house of Parliament today overwhelmingly approved an amnesty for Chechenguerrillas fighting Russian troops in the separatist MuslimRepublic.
Moscow, June 06: Russia`s lower house of Parliament
today overwhelmingly approved an amnesty for Chechen
guerrillas fighting Russian troops in the separatist Muslim
Republic.
The State Duma approved the controversial measure by 351
votes in favour to 25 votes against. Seven deputies abstained.
The measure, which was sponsored by President Vladimir Putin, was opposed for different reasons by the liberal opposition Yabloko faction and the Ultra-Nationalist Liberal Democratic Group (LDPR) led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
The amnesty covers Chechen rebels but not Arab mercenaries who have joined the three-and-a-half year campaign and applies to all conflicts in the turbulent republic since the Chechen rebel leadership unilaterally declared independence in 1993.
But few observers believe that Chechens will give themselves up in large numbers since it would then be up to Russian courts to decide if the amnesty should be applied -- or if the guerrilla had committed more serious crimes and should be tried.
Human Rights Groups meanwhile are outraged that the bill would also protect Russian soldiers who are accused of committing numerous violations against civilians in the republic. A similar amnesty offer passed in December 1999 by the Russian Parliament in the heat of the war failed miserably. Bureau Report
The measure, which was sponsored by President Vladimir Putin, was opposed for different reasons by the liberal opposition Yabloko faction and the Ultra-Nationalist Liberal Democratic Group (LDPR) led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
The amnesty covers Chechen rebels but not Arab mercenaries who have joined the three-and-a-half year campaign and applies to all conflicts in the turbulent republic since the Chechen rebel leadership unilaterally declared independence in 1993.
But few observers believe that Chechens will give themselves up in large numbers since it would then be up to Russian courts to decide if the amnesty should be applied -- or if the guerrilla had committed more serious crimes and should be tried.
Human Rights Groups meanwhile are outraged that the bill would also protect Russian soldiers who are accused of committing numerous violations against civilians in the republic. A similar amnesty offer passed in December 1999 by the Russian Parliament in the heat of the war failed miserably. Bureau Report