Vol. 558 No. 2
127 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by Amnesty International regarding human rights issues in Russia, in particular to the conflict in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23981/02]
I am aware of the issues, which Amnesty International has raised in its current campaign regarding human rights in Russia and I take these concerns very seriously.
As I stated in reply to a parliamentary question on 20 November 2002, Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, supports continued dialogue with the Russian Federation on a range of human rights issues including the situation in Chechnya. At the EU-Russia summit on 11 November 2002, the Danish Presidency, led by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, raised our concerns about Chechnya with President Vladimir Putin and reiterated the European Union's belief that there must be a political solution to the situation there.
Ireland has also raised the issue of human rights in Russia, including Chechnya, in international fora and bilaterally with the Russian Federation, through diplomatic channels.
We acknowledge the right of the Government of the Russian Federation to defend its territorial integrity, to fight against terrorism and crime and to protect its population. However, the fight against terrorism must be conducted in accordance with internationally accepted human rights standards.
