GENEVA, March 15 (Reuters) -

Germany's Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Monday called on Russia to ensure that human rights were protected in the rebel region of Chechnya despite "acts of terror" against ordinary Russians.

Fischer was speaking at a news briefing on the first day of the annual six-week session in Geneva of the United Nations Human Rights Commission at which the European Union is expected to try to table a motion on the Chechnya conflict.

"In Chechnya, efforts remain unsuccessful to break the vicious circle of violent terrorist acts on the one hand and human rights violations committed in the fight against these violent acts on the other," Fischer said.

Germany condemned unconditionally all "acts of terrorism that the people of Russia have suffered," he said. "There can be no justification for these acts."

However, he said, "the Russian government must fully live up to its responsibility to protect and promote human rights in the northern Caucasus".

"Human rights violations must be investigated and those responsible must be brought to justice. It is also important that the Russian government make known its efforts to do so."

International human rights groups have frequently accused the Russian authorities of carrying out summary executions and using torture in their campaign against Chechens seeking independence for the largely Muslim region.

Fischer also called on the Russian authorities to allow free access to Chechnya for international organisations and journalists. "Only through transparency can trust be established in government actions," he added.