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Russia

Russian Federation IDP Figures Analysis (as of September 2014)

IDMC estimates that there are at least 41,000 IDPs in the Russian Federation as of September 2014.

This figure includes IDPs who fled both Chechen wars (1994-1996 and 1999-2000), as well as those who fled North Ossetia’s Prigorodny region in 1992 after clashes between ethnic Ingush and Ossetians. The estimate includes:

9,906 people who fled North Osssetia, Chechnya and Ingushetia and were granted “forced migrant” status by the government (Federal Migration Service, 1 January 2013);
15,000 people who fled within Chechnya (DRC, September 2014)
6,057 IDPs from Chechnya in Ingushetia (DRC, September 2014)
10,045 IDPs from North Ossetia in Ingushetia (DRC, September 2014)
IDMC considers that the number of IDPs is likely to be higher for three reasons.

First, the government uses a more restrictive definition of an internally displaced person than the one outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. According to its 1995 Law on Forced Migrants, a “forced migrant” is a person displaced between provinces of the Russian Federation. Those displaced within a province of the Russian Federation are not eligible for “forced migrant” status. As a result, government figures do not take into account people displaced within Chechnya and North Ossetia.

Second, in practice many people who fled from Chechnya to another province did not receive “forced migrant” status even though they were eligible according to the Law on Forced Migrants. As a result, government figures do not take into account people displaced to Dagestan, or most ethnic Chechens, who fled from Chechnya during the second conflict.

Third, “forced migrant” status expires after five years according to the Law on Forced Migrants. The holder can extend it on an annual basis thereafter, but this has proven difficult for many IDPs due to inconsistent application of the law. Some IDPs have applied to the court to have their status extended, but not all have been successful.

IDMC uses only the most credible accurate information available. Notwithstanding the caveats and limitations of the source information described above, IDMC believes this to be the best data and is grateful to the partners for sharing it.