The two Chechen wars (1994-96, 99~) over the last 12 years of post-Soviet transition highlight the complexities of the negative fall-out of emerging new global geopolitical power games. The implications are extremely disturbing.

In this globally interconnected information age, we are paradoxically witnessing a nation, devoid of any practical help, being subjugated to unrestricted brutality and on its way to eventual extermination by the ex-superpower. It becomes absolutely clear that post-Soviet Russia is unwilling to change the old methods and tactics of its predecessor’s imperial/ totalitarian governance over its own former subjects.

What seemed to be a new era brought about by the upheaval of the non-violent revolution in Moscow in August 1991, turned out in the end to be the return of the cynical state-cult culture, with power reverting back to the Kremlin. What an ironic contrast indeed! I personally joined that historic event in Moscow and was deeply heartened to see President Yeltsin honoring the three young Muscovites martyrs who lost their lives during that failed coup d’etat.

Today, 12 years later, is there anyone who mourns the more than 30% of the total Chechen population who perished in the last two wars? Who cares today about the hundreds of thousands of Chechen refugees who fled wherever they could from the Chechen killing-field, only to find themselves in unbearably miserable conditions, with no hope of being treated as decent human beings?

All the noble principles and solemn purposes of the United Nations were powerless to prevent the horror and atrocities experienced by the entire Chechen population. Central aims of the world body are to prevent the reoccurrence of any acts of genocide, to free all nations from colonial rule and to protect and guarantee universal human rights for all people. What makes the Chechen tragedy truly tragic is not only that the whole nation was physically slaughtered, but also that the sole world authority betrayed its own principle raison d’etre. The failure is obvious. Why did it happen?

This dangerous trend is partly due to the emergence in the 21st Century of a New Great Game, played over the whole of Eurasia, involving the future of modern civilization as we know it. The lifeline of its wealth is access to the potent energy resources largely concentrated in this region of the planet. It looks increasingly like a battle for survival. The dreadful lawlessness of the Chechen tragedy, if it remains unaddressed and ignored, is likely to set the pattern for tomorrow’s world.

How can we address to this critical stalemate and envisage new approaches?

In this presentation, I would like to suggest 4 levels of interaction which may contribute towards introducing new dynamics and fresh attitudes into such dreadful violent conflicts as Chechnya and the increasingly imminent danger of global war between civilizations.

The key component of this new change is first to establish the supremacy of the Right to Life, the Right to Peace and the Right to Freedom of every individual over the sovereignty of nation states, as well as over the claims of national resistance movements. This new supreme ethic and method of non-violence can only work when global civil society is capable of mobilizing and intervening effectively. Global public intervention of this kind represents a newly emerging awareness of collective responsibility for trusteeship and stewardship with respect to the common heritage of human civilizations and the survival of the Planet / Life. Such a newly awakened global civil society must transcend the narrow pursuits of national and state interests. It can also strengthen and provide effective support for non-violent national movements suppressed by the State.

In this context, journalism and mass media have crucial responsibilities. The lack of adequate historical and global perspective in reporting has resulted in many conflicts getting worse, being misunderstood and missing the opportunity of non-violent resolution. Inadequate journalism has led to potentially significant local non-violent initiatives being ignored and denied the opportunity of being presented in the international arena. Effective links between local initiatives and global civil response have thus not been made.

We have all experienced the horrifying consequences and backlash of ignoring prolonged sufferings by people in many dreadful conflicts. Today those conflicts have become powerful symbols dividing the world more than ever before. Information technology and religion have become fundamental instruments to frame the mind and behavior pattern of the masses. These conflicts are the rallying points for demonizing and satanising “adversary” groups across religious and civilizational dividing lines. However, such demonization brings nothing but its own moral, spiritual and cultural degradation.

How can we prevent the differences between religions and civilizations widening into violent clashes? Where are the common interests of our interdependent and interconnected family of nations? Can the outdated notion of statehood be replaced by the newly emerging understanding of the relationship between the shared destiny of our Planet/Life and the eternal spirituality and wisdom of all religions, which teach the indivisible unity and oneness of all life?

Non-violence is the principle attitude, which derives from such awareness. Can all humanity at our current crossroads apply this new/old principle? This is the challenge we all face today.