Alexa,
Most ethnic conflicts can be very brutal. The one(s) in the Caucasus region are no exception. That some of the Russian military operations were heavy handed, to say the least, is well-established. That the terrorists engaged in extremely brutal conduct is also well-established.
I believe most concur that at some point in time, a political dimension that accommodates both the needs of the Chechen residents (greater autonomy and economic development) and needs of Russia (vital interests in the Caucasus and preservation of Russia's territorial integrity) would be beneficial.
Unfortunately, so long as the terrorism persists, not just in the Chechen region but also across the Caucasus, such an added dimension will likely not be possible. In fact, just days before the senseless terrorist attack in Moscow's Metro, Russia's deputy prime minister had discussed an aggressive socioeconomic development program, including the taking into account human rights, in the North Caucasus region, including the Chechen region, according to BBC Monitoring. That campaign has likely been disrupted by the terrorist attacks and tougher counterterrorism measures are probably the more likely route now.
The terrorism cannot nor should not be rationalized. Rationalizing the deliberate actions of an entity that run counter to the Laws of War establishes a precedent for others to rationalize similar conduct. It also grants de facto license to others to engage in similar practices. The end result is only reduced welfare for civilians. Therefore, even as a political dimension would be helpful, I believe the world should support Russia's quest to eradicate the terrorism so that such a political solution can become viable. Needless to say, like all combatants, Russia also has a responsibility to act in a fashion consistent with the Laws of War.
I do not defend the use of suicide bombing or the deliberate killing of civilians. (I don't much agree with the killing of anyone except in self defence)
We supported the Chechans prior to 9/11. We saw then that what was happening to them was wrong.
They are currently being run by someone sent by Russia and people disappear, get murdered, get tortured and so on.
I personally see no more reason to defend that than I do civilians killing civilians. Both are wrong, very wrong.
Beslam affected me deeply. I just could not believe that anyone would do this. I have a website, nothing to do with politics, but I was so moved, so horrified at what happened that I put an article on it - took it down when my website was overwhelmed with Saudi visitors!
Then I saw a documentary on Chechynia and I saw how they lived and I listened to them and I was repulsed when some of them spoke of Beslam and said they didn't mind. Their children had gone. They wanted the Russians to feel their pain and I was appalled.
I could not accept that. I could not understand it because the people who were saying this were ordinary human beings like you and me with families or who had had families. They were not your idea of serial killers. They were extremely harmed.
The reality is that had it not been for 9/11 almost certainly the West would have supported them and had some influence on them.
What I see is people who have lost their humanity.
What I also see is the background which led them to lose their humanity.
While I am sure you are right as long as the terrorists continue, the brutalising of the Chechyan people will continue. It appears, they no longer care. Whether or not they are being terrorists, the brutality against them continues.
I would though be interested if you have a link to the human rights having been implemented. I did find some BBC material on the Russian's having moved out and going to implement a program of rebuilding and so on but I seem to remember it also spoke of ongoing abuse of human rights.
I am simply trying to understand it. I cannot easily. The conclusion I have come to is that this is what happens if you push people too far.
I am open to change my mind if there is reason to.
I think one of our MP's once said that terrorism was not acceptable when people have a vote. Well the Chechens do have a vote but everyone believes it was rigged, so they do not really.
That is not said to justify what they did because I find it unjustifiable but it could be a good way to start to stop it and to get people to start taking responsibility for their own actions again.