Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 5

Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.

John Bruton

Question:

29 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, taken by him in regard to the indiscriminate bombardment of towns and villages in Chechnya by Russian forces which cleansed those places of their Chechan population, the bombardment of hospitals in Grozny by Russian forces as reported in a newspaper (details supplied) and humanitarian aid for the 215,000 Chechan refugees in Ingushetia; and his views on whether military tactics used by Russia amount to prima facie evidence of a crime against humanity. [4908/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

With regard to human rights abuses in Chechnya including indiscriminate bombardments and the question of humanitarian aid, I refer the Deputy to Priority Question No. 5.

With regard to the question of whether military tactics used by Russia amount to prima facie evidence of a crime against humanity, the Government is not aware of any evidence advanced by the international community which would prove that Russia has engaged in a deliberate policy to destroy the civilian population of Chechnya and that it used disproportionate force to that end. Nevertheless, the result of Russia's military actions have been appalling for the civilian population caught up in the conflict. Ireland condemns the military actions taken without due regard for the safety of civilians.