Questions & Answers Isn’t there already peace in Chechnya? Despite Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's April 16 2009 decree formally ending the counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya and proclamations of peace by his predecessor Vladimir Putin, the war there continues. Peace cannot be achieved by simply claiming it to be so. Chechnya remains in the iron fist of the Kremlin, and the Chechen people are subjected to a daily climate of fear without any avenues to seek justice or express their fundamental right to freedom of speech. The republic is run by a Moscow imposed puppet president, Ramzan Kadyrov, who was never elected by the Chechen people. Peace, freedom and liberty do not thrive against a backdrop of oppression. The only way to restore lasting peace in Chechnya is through free and fair elections, monitored by external international observers.   Is there rule of law in Chechnya? Through intimidation and oppression Ramzan Kadryov and his personal militia – the Kadyrovtsy – have brought a certain level of order to Chechnya’s urban areas. For the average Chechen there are no avenues available to seek justice for the daily crimes against civilians.   When and why did the trouble start? Chechnya has a long history of external interference and suffering. The most recent conflict and instability can be traced back to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the political vacuum left in its wake. Both of Russia’s post-Soviet Presidents, Yeltsin and Putin, have exacerbated the situation with their attempts to reassert control and influence over the region.   Aren’t all Chechen rebels Islamic fundamentalist terrorists? This is a common misconception of the Chechen struggle and one which has been propagated by a small number of extremists who sought to subvert Chechnya’s genuine cause for independence. President Putin used these false allegations as the basis to justify his bloody reoccupation of the region in 1999. Intent on hiding behind the so-called “war on terror” Putin and the Russian propaganda machine represent Chechnya to the rest of the world as a “centre of international Islamic extremism” expecting the West to turn a blind eye to what he is doing on Europe’s doorstep.