Vol. 516 No. 1
46 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has protested strongly to the Russian Government regarding the activities of the Russian army in Chechnya in view of the documented evidence of atrocities and human rights violations. [7108/00]
The Government is profoundly concerned at reports of grave human rights abuses in Chechnya. The safeguarding of human rights is a core value of democracy. The Government is working to ensure that action is taken by Russia in this serious matter, and that practical assistance is made available for this.
On Friday, 3 March, I raised the question of human rights abuses in Chechnya directly with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gusarov, who was in Dublin for political consultations. I made clear that, both in a bilateral context and as chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Ireland was deeply disturbed by the reports of abuses. I stressed that I expected Russia, in keeping with its international obligations, to investigate these reports fully and transparently and, where the reports proved to be well founded, to ensure the perpetrators were brought to justice.
Acting President Putin has appointed a special representative for human rights in Chechnya, Mr. Kalamanov. Russia is now examining the possibility of Council of Europe human rights experts working with Mr. Kalamanov. I emphasised to Deputy Foreign Minister Gusarov that any Council of Europe presence in the region would have to be established in such a manner as to be credible and effective. Discussions by the Council of Europe with the Russian authorities on this issue are ongoing.
The European Union, the OSCE and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have all expressed their deep concern at the reports of human rights abuses and called for a full investigation. At a European Union meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov in Lisbon on 2 March, the European Union Presidency made clear that it expected Russia to take immediate action. This message was reiterated the following day by the European Union and the United States in a trilateral meeting with Russia.
