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Chechen refugee movements

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Chechen refugee movements

The number of civilians leaving Chechnya continues to outpace the number of persons going home. Once they reaching neighbouring Ingushetia, they face continuing problems.
26 July 2001
Some 370,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan, many through the Takhta Baig centre.

Some 370,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan, many through the Takhta Baig centre.

GENEVA, July 26 (UNHCR) - The number of people leaving the ravaged Russian republic of Chechnya continues to outnumber people going home, UNHCR monitors reported Thursday. In the first two weeks of July, an estimated 1,000 people arrived in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia while only 300 returned. This compared to 1,000 arrivals and 500 returns in June and 950 arrivals and 400 returns in May.

An estimated 150,000 displaced Chechens are registered in Ingushetia and the new arrivals cite insecurity and fear of arbitrary arrest as reasons for their continued exodus. In Ingushetia, displaced persons - 70 percent of whom live with host families - said they faced the continuing threat of eviction. In June, 185 persons were thrown out and hundreds more threatened with eviction. In such circumstances, UNHCR either tries to resolve differences or identifies alternative accommodation. Officials said the eviction trend was particularly worrying because some people returning to Chechnya cited this problem as a reason for going back, despite continuing security threats.