WRITTEN QUESTION E-1041/01

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(3 April 2001)

Subject: Discovery of mass graves and disappearance of civilians in Chechnya

Humanitarian organisations such as Human Rights Watch have protested against the disappearance of civilians and the existence of mass graves containing hundreds of bodies in Chechnya as a consequence of the war started by Russia. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Álvaro Gil-Robles, recently visited Moscow and protested to the Russian authorities at the impunity enjoyed by Russian forces in the face of these atrocities.

What action is the Council currently taking with a view to ensuring that these dreadful occurrences are stopped and promoting a political solution to the war which recognises the national freedom of the Chechen people?

Reply

(27 September 2001)

The EU has spoken out steadfastly against all attacks on human rights and dignity in Chechnya, whoever may be the authors. While recognising the difficulties Russia faces in Chechnya, the EU has been particularly vocal in criticising the Russian government for its role in the Chechen republic of its country. Time and again, the EU has raised this issue at the very highest level with the Russian authorities. It was brought up in Stockholm on 23 March, at the meeting between the European Council and President Putin, and again at the EU-Russia Cooperation Council in Luxembourg on 10 April. The Presidency also addressed the issue at the Summit with President Putin in Moscow on 17 May.

Ever since the beginning of the conflict, the EU has given its full support to both the Council of Europe (CoE) and the OSCE Assistance Group. The EU recognises that these institutions can play a certain role in improving the human rights situation in Chechnya, including by helping to investigate all the cases of missing persons that have been reported. The EU therefore welcomed the visit of Mr Gil-Robles to Moscow. The EU welcomed the setting up of a joint working group between the offices of the Russian Prosecutor General, the Chechen Prosecutor, and that of Mr Kalamanov, Russian Presidential Special Representative for human rights in Chechnya, assisted by CoE experts.

The EU has consistently adopted an outspoken and principled stand, at no small cost to its immediate relations with Russia. This position has been fully in line with the EU's general stance on human rights, as laid out in the resolution presented to the 2000 session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (2000/58), enumerating and condemning, clearly and comprehensively, the various violations of human rights and humanitarian law committed in Chechnya. In the context of this year's session of the Commission, the EU again strove to reach agreement with Russia on a joint Chairman's statement concerning the situation in Chechnya. These efforts were not ultimately successful, however, and instead a resolution was passed (2001/24). Nonetheless, concessions made by the Russian authorities in the course of negotiations show that Russia is increasingly prepared to acknowledge its failings and to cooperate with the international community.

It remains the firm and considered conviction of the Council that engagement is the best path by which the EU may work to improve the situation in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation. Without dialogue there would be no way for us to impress on Russia that it must fulfil its international commitments. It is only through this same dialogue with Russia that practical progress can be made on humanitarian aid and the protection of human rights in the interests of the people of Chechnya.

The Council believes that the fact that Russia has been taking steps in the right direction - albeit belatedly and not going far enough - vindicates this approach. During his visit to Moscow, Mr Gil-Robles did note some positive developments, notably strengthened political will in Russia to move forward in Chechnya with democratic construction, rebuilding, establishing peace and seeking political solutions. The work of Mr Kalamanov's office, involving collaborators from the Council of Europe, the establishment of civilian courts, the first indictments for human rights violations and the adoption of a few reconstruction measures are a start, even if still too little. However, the Council will continue to press the Russian authorities to bring to justice all those responsible for human rights violations.