Russia escapes censure over Chechnya
By Jonathan Fowler in Geneva
16 April 2004

http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=511865

The United Nations Human Rights Commission yesterday
rejected a resolution submitted by European countries
that said Moscow must do more to end abuses by its
armed forces in Chechnya.

There was applause after the 53-country commission,
which is dominated by developing countries, threw out
the motion by a 23 to 12 vote; 18 countries abstained.

While condemning terrorist acts by Chechen
separatists, the resolution cited cases of abductions,
extrajudicial killings and torture by the Russian
military. It said that although Russian authorities
had taken steps to punish military personnel for
crimes against civilians, Chechens still faced
difficulties in getting officials to investigate
alleged human rights abuses. The resolution also
called on Russia to provide better access to Chechnya
for humanitarian aid groups and to co-operate with
international bodies that want to monitor the
situation.

"This should not be seen as confrontation but as part
of a dialogue," said Mary Whelan, the Irish
ambassador, who was speaking on behalf of 30 European
countries.

But Leonid Skotnikov, the Russian ambassador, said
European governments had committed an "unfriendly
act". Sha Zukang, the Chinese ambassador, also
criticised the "interference in the internal affairs
of a sovereign state".

Russian troops pulled out of Chechnya in 1996
following a disastrous 20-month campaign against
separatists who want to break away from the Russian
Federation. The military returned in 1999 following
rebel incursions into a neighbouring region and a
series of explosions in Russia blamed on rebels.

Large-scale fighting has ended, but daily rebel raids
and Russian sweep operations continue and tens of
thousands of Chechens still live in refugee camps in
neighboring Ingushetia.

Moscow says that Russian operations against Chechen
rebels are an anti-terrorist action rather than a war.
The European resolution "played into the hands of
terrorists by undermining the international
anti-terror coalition", said Mr Skotnikov, noting ties
between rebel groups and al-Qa'ida.

Ms Whelan said European countries also supported
Russian efforts to battle terrorism, but that Moscow
should not undermine human rights as it did so. It is
the third year running that Russia has escaped
criticism over Chechnya.
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For more information on Chechnya see:
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Park/6443/Chechnya/






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