Seymour Crawford
Ceist:114 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the current political and security situation in Chechnya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10008/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 31 March 2004
Ceisteanna (120)
Freagraí scríofa
During the past year, the Russian authorities have made a concerted effort to build up a political system in Chechnya. This policy has included an offer of an amnesty to rebels, the adoption by referendum of a new Chechen constitution in March 2003, and a Chechen presidential election in October 2003. Due to security problems, neither the referendum nor the Chechen presidential election were monitored by observers from the OSCE or the Council of Europe. Akhmad Kadyrov was elected President of Chechnya in October 2003 with 81% of the vote. On 14 March, Chechnya took part in the Russian presidential election, which was won by President Putin. Turnout in Chechnya was recorded at 94.99% of voters.
The EU acknowledges the efforts made by Russia towards reconstruction and institution building in Chechnya. In particular, the Russian Government has recently undertaken to provide financial compensation for damaged property in Chechnya. We look forward to the early implementation of this decision, which will bring relief to the civilian population.
Regrettably, it is clear that the security situation in Chechnya remains very serious and that the civilian population has suffered enormously as a result of the conflict there. The humanitarian situation is difficult. There have been a number of large-scale terrorist attacks in and near Chechnya during the past year, including an attack on a local government compound in Znamenskoye in May 2003 which killed 60 people, and an attack on a hospital in the nearby region of north Ossetia in August 2003 in which more than 50 people lost their lives. There has been a worrying increase in suicide attacks during the past year. Attacks and political assassinations are regrettably still common within Chechnya — it is reported, most recently, that eight Russian soldiers were killed by a bomb in central Chechnya on 26 March. Ireland and the European Union strongly condemn the terrorist attacks which have caused significant loss of life in Chechnya and throughout Russia in recent years.
Unfortunately, there continue to be credible reports of human rights abuses against Chechen civilians by both rebels and Russian security forces. According to the Russian human rights NGO memorial, there were 472 cases of disappearances in 2003, of which 269 have disappeared without a trace, 48 were later found dead with marks of torture and 155 were released after a ransom was paid. These incidents can only hinder prospects for long-term peace and reconciliation. The EU is also concerned at the reports of difficulties experienced by the local population in obtaining proper investigations and prosecutions of such human rights abuses.
Ireland and the European Union recognise 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. However, the EU has consistently stated that the fight against terrorism, in the Russian Federation as elsewhere, must be conducted in accordance with internationally-accepted human rights standards.