Strasbourg, 17/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - By adopting a resolution tabled by five political groups in Strasbourg on Thursday, Parliament expresses its deep deception regarding the non-renewal of the mandate of the OSCE assistance group for Chechnya, which expired on 31 December 2002. It asks Russia to agree to instantly resume negotiations in view of the renewal of the OSCE's complete mandate which ought not to be limited to co-ordinating humanitarian aid in the region. It regrets the postponement of the visit of the ad hoc group to Chechnya and hopes that the visit by the joint EP-Duma delegation will take place in the spring. Furthermore, in calls on the Russian Government to cease applying pressure on displaced persons for them to return to Chechnya and to ensure that they continue to benefit from protection and humanitarian assistance in compliance with international law. It stresses the need to ensure that the repatriation of refugees and displaced persons take place exclusively on a voluntary basis. Regarding this, it asks the Commission to send observers to Inguchia to monitor and report on the situation. Parliament calls on the Russian Government to do all it can to secure the rapid release of Mr. Erkel, MSF humanitarian worker, still held in captivity in the region.