GENEVA - For the second year running, Russia on Wednesday escaped censure by the
top United Nations human rights body for alleged violations by its forces in Chechnya.
The 53-nation U.N. Human Rights Commission rejected a resolution submitted by
European countries that called on Moscow to tackle abuses including forced disappearances,
summary executions and torture. The motion also condemned hostage taking and attacks
by Chechen separatists, including last October's seizure of a Moscow theater.
Fifteen commission member countries backed the proposal, including European nations,
the United States, Canada and Australia. The 21 opponents included Russia, China,
Cuba, Brazil and India. Seventeen nations abstained.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Greek Ambassador Tassos Kriekoukis said
that, as in previous years, commission members tried to agree on a "chairman's
statement" that would have avoided a vote on the resolution and would have meant
all members - including Russia itself - agreed to the text.
"Unfortunately, the Russian Federation did not want to enter into any discussion
on the subject," Kriekoukis told the commission.
However, Russian Ambassador Leonid Skotnikov told the commission Moscow has "never
attempted to avoid discussing the human rights situation in the Chechen Republic."
In 2000 Russia became the first permanent member of the U.N. Security Council
to be censured by the commission for human rights abuses. Censure brings no penalties
but draws international attention to a country's rights record.
Moscow was again condemned in 2001, but narrowly escaped censure last year after
another EU resolution was rejected by one vote.
Russia claims that Chechen separatists are being supported by international terrorists
and has sought to justify its crackdown as part of international efforts to fight
terrorism. Officials acknowledge that abuses have taken place but say claims by
human rights groups are overblown and that the situation in Chechnya has
improved.
The resolution said that, while Russia has a right to fight terrorism, that battle
"must be conducted in accordance with the rule of law and with the utmost respect
for human rights."
U.S. Ambassador Kevin Moley told the commission Washington is equally opposed
to Chechen terror groups but remains deeply concerned by human rights violations
in the republic.
But China's Ambassador Sha Zhukang said the resolution ignored "the steadily improving
human rights situation in Chechnya, an integral part of the Russian Federation"
and risked "stirring up ethnic conflict."
Although large-scale fighting has ended, daily rebel raids and Russian sweep operations
continue and tens of thousands of Chechens still live in refugee camps in neighboring
Ingushetia.
Russian authorities are eager to demonstrate that Chechnya is returning to normal
following a referendum last month during which Chechens backed a new constitution
firmly binding the republic to Russia. But human rights group said people were
pressured to vote for the constitution.
/The Associated Press/
Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Ministry of Foreign Affairs Official Statement
16/04/2003
The failure of the UNHCHR to condemn Russia gives green light for more crimes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria deplores the
failure of the 59th session of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights
to condemn Russia’s genocidal policies in Chechnya.
The rejection of a resolution on human rights in Chechnya by the Commission gives
a green light for a war party in Russia to go on with their daily brutal crimes
against the civilian population in Chechnya.
We therefore strongly condemn all 21 countries that voted against the resolution
and regret that 17 other members of the commission abstained. We hope that
member states of the European Union, which tabled the resolution, will now push
for accountability and a peaceful resolution of the conflict in their bilateral
and multilateral relations with Russia.