Episode 7: Anti-terrorist rhetoric
MSF’s operations have been closed down in Chechnya in response to the MSF Coordinator’s kidnapping. After his release, three weeks later, MSF tries to restart its operations in Chechnya but there are delays due to security issues, and for now, the only programmes in the country are run through remote control management from Dagestan, on Chechnya eastern border. Most of MSF’s Caucasus staff are behind the return and support MSF speaking out in the media. Meanwhile and in a statement after the September 11th 2001 attacks in New York and Washington, Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation links Russian military operations in Chechnya with the anti-terrorist combat launched by the American government.
After the events of 11 September 2001, the West's attitude and view of Russia became more complacent, which weakened the impact of MSF's efforts to raise awareness of the plight of the Chechen population.
This podcast series is written, produced and mixed by Andrea Rangecroft. Interviews are recorded by Lucy Dearlove.
Editorial direction is from Nancy Barrett, Laurence Binet and Rebecca Golden Timsar.
The narrator is Nick Owen.
Extracts are read by Didi Bellos and Matthew Wade.
The voiceovers are by Lucy Dearlove and Mark Fairclough.
The music is by Lost Harmonies and Peter Sendberg.
Photo credits: © Olivier Jobard
A special thanks to Dr Alain Devaux.
This podcast is adapted from the case study “War Crimes and Politics of Terror in Chechnya, 1994 – 2004”. Over 9 episodes, it explores the challenges and dilemmas MSF faced during the two wars in Chechnya between 1994 and 2004. These wars raised many questions for MSF on when and how the organisation should speak out publicly about the war crimes its staff witness and the chilling effects of the politics of terror on the Chechen people.
Through MSF press releases, internal reports, speeches, and news articles of the time as well as eyewitness testimonies from MSF staff, this podcast series examines the challenges MSF faced when access to those in need was repeatedly blocked by the Russian authorities, forcing international staff to operate and train Caucasus teams at a distance. Later on, when staff members were kidnapped, MSF was confronted with a new dilemma - whether to raise a voice or lay low until their colleagues were released?
To read the full study and discover other case studies, please go to our website: msf.org/speakingout
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