Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 3

Written Answers. - Human Rights Issues.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

104 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on an Amnesty International report into human rights abuses in the Russian Federation; and if his Department has had contact with the Russian Federation with regard to similar abuses in Chechnya. [26778/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I am aware of the Amnesty International report, Rough Justice, to which the Deputy refers. I share his concerns about the information it contains regarding violations of human rights in Russia. It is clear from the report that Russia has faced difficulties in building new institutions for the protection of human rights following the end of the Soviet Union. The statistics presented in the Amnesty International report with regard to fatalities from domestic violence in the Russian Federation are particularly alarming, and the situation of prisoners is very worrying. We are aware of the campaign by Amnesty International to highlight these serious problems, which have struck a chord with many people in Ireland.

The attitude of police forces is of crucial importance in addressing these problems. The Deputy may be aware that in 2002 Development Co-operation Ireland, DCI, contributed €230,101 towards a Council of Europe police training programme in Russia, entitled Police and Human Rights beyond 2000, one component of which addresses the issue of domestic violence. The programme provides training to the participants from the Russian police forces in areas such as recognition of the signs of domestic violence, and steps to be taken in handling these situations. The programme includes discussion of methods to prevent domestic abuse, and advice is given to participants on how to conduct effective investigations in cases of domestic violence. Development Co-operation Ireland has also given funding on a number of occasions to projects involving state institutions for the care of children in Russia. In this way, the Government is making a concrete contribution to addressing some the problems raised by Amnesty International.

There is agreement within the European Union that the development of EU relations with Russia should be based on respect for human rights as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights. EU funding is available for projects to promote the rule of law and to improve the human rights situation in Russia.

It is also possible to report some positive developments. Russia's membership of the Council of Europe, for example, creates opportunities for constructive dialogue with the Russian Federation, including on human rights and democratisation issues. It also gives Russian citizens recourse to the European Court of Human Rights, ECHR, the decisions of which are legally binding. This is a welcome development.

On the situation in Chechnya, there continue to be credible reports of human rights violations committed by Russian troops against Chechen civilians. As I have often noted in the House, such occurrences can only hinder prospects for long-term peace and reconciliation. The Government recognises the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. We acknowledge the right and responsibility of the Russian Government to oppose terrorism and crime, and to protect its citizens. In this context, I strongly condemn the terrorist bomb attacks which have caused significant loss of life in Chechnya and in neighbouring republics this year. However, the fight against terrorism, in the Russian Federation as elsewhere, must be conducted in accordance with internationally accepted human rights standards.

The EU's concerns about the situation in Chechnya have been raised with Russia both at the recent EU-Russia summit on 6 November, and at the EU-Russia ministerial Troika meeting in Moscow on 28 October, where I represented the incoming Presidency. The EU has supported resolutions on the human rights situation in Chechnya at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, UNCHR, in Geneva both this year and last year, although unfortunately neither resolution was successful. During Ireland's EU Presidency next year, Ireland, in co-ordination with our EU partners, will continue to raise the EU's concerns with the Russian Federation in all appropriate fora, to encourage the Russian Government to intensify the efforts it has made to eliminate human rights violations in Chechnya and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The ultimate aim must be to bring about improvements in the daily lives of the people of Chechnya.