GENEVA - European nations on Tuesday formally submitted a resolution to the top
U.N. human rights body accusing Russia of rights violations in the breakaway republic
of Chechnya.
The resolution, presented to the U.N. Human Rights Commission by the 15-nation
European Union and seven fellow European countries, urges Russia to ensure alleged
abuses by its soldiers and law enforcement officers "are investigated systematically,
fully and promptly and sanctioned."
Among the human rights violations in Chechnya, the resolution cites forced disappearances,
summary executions, torture and harassment during sweep operations.
Russia claims that Chechen separatists are being supported by international terrorists
and has sought to justify its crackdown as part of the world's anti-terror campaign.
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 notes that Russian authorities have taken steps to hold their forces
accountable and President Vladimir Putin has sent a human rights envoy to Chechnya.
But Russia must do more to "implement the rule of law in Chechnya and to secure
transparency on any information concerning the above abuses."
The resolution says Russia has a right to fight terrorism but adds that the battle
"must be conducted in accordance with the rule of law and with the utmost respect
for human rights."
The 53-nation human rights commission - of which Russia is a member - is expected
to vote on the resolution next week.
In 2000 Russia became the first permanent member of the U.N. Security Council
to be censured by the commission for human rights abuses. Moscow was again condemned
in 2001, but narrowly escaped criticism last year when another European resolution
was defeated in a 16-15 vote with 22 abstentions.
Censure by the U.N. body brings no penalties but draws international attention
to a country's rights record.
Russian troops pulled out of Chechnya in 1996 following a disastrous 20-month
campaign against separatists who had declared the republic independent earlier
in the 1990s. The military returned, however, in 1999 after rebel incursions into
a neighboring region and a series of apartment house explosions in Russia blamed
on rebels.
Although large-scale fighting has ended, there are still daily rebel raids and
Russian sweep operations 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 the Russian Federation.
International human rights groups denounced the referendum as a farce, saying
the 96 percent vote in favor was not credible because surveys taken before the
vote registered strong opposition to the referendum and many people reportedly
were pressured to approve the constitution.