WRITTEN QUESTION E-0463/02

by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Violation of the human rights of women in the Russian Federation

Amnesty International has sent a document to the CEDAW condemning violations of women's rights throughout the Russian Federation. It alleges that during military operations in Chechnya women and young girls have been abused, tortured and raped, and there have even been cases of disappearances and executions.

What measures does the Commission intend to take to bring pressure to bear on the Russian Government to shed light on these crimes, to establish who is responsible and to take legislative initiatives, in accordance with international agreements and laws, to ensure respect for the rights of women and young girls in military conflicts, conditions of detention and in their private lives?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2002)

The Commission is aware of the report by Amnesty International on violations of women's Human Rights, particularly in Chechnya. The Commission is also aware of other recent Human Rights reports (e.g. Human Rights Watch report of 28 February 2002), which present similarly worrying findings regarding the treatment of the Chechen population at large, and of women in particular.

In spite of a number of Russian initiatives to normalise the situation in Chechnya politically, economically and socially, the situation on the ground is far from normal. All plans undertaken so far have failed to improve the extremely dangerous security conditions. In this regard, the Union continues to raise the issue of the conflict in Chechnya with Russian authorities at every appropriate opportunity offered by the intense political dialogue between the Union and the Russia Federation. The Union's position remains that, without prejudice to the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, ultimately only a political solution will guarantee stability in Chechnya.

In its contacts with the Russian authorities, the Union continues to draw a clear distinction between the fight against terrorism and Human Rights violations. Whereas the former is fully legitimate, the latter cannot be condoned under any circumstances. In this regard, the Union has welcomed a number of Russian steps to address the continued reports of Human Rights violations committed by Russian servicemen, notably the establishment of the office of the Presidential Representative for Human Rights in Chechnya, Mr Kalamanov, with Council of Europe support. However, the Union has also made it clear that reported violations should lead to a more active follow up by both military and civilian prosecutors, in order to dispel any notion of impunity. We shall continue to press this message to the Russian authorities until the situation improves.

Finally, the Commission has constantly argued for the Russian authorities to ensure better co-operation over the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to civilian victims of the conflict in Chechnya. In spite of some recent minor improvements, the Community, in its capacity as largest donor, has insisted that Russia provide guarantees related both to safer communications and access to the population by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) implementing Community humanitarian aid.

In addition to continuing to raise these issues in the framework of its bilateral political dialogue with Russia, the Commission supports raising all of the above issues at the forthcoming United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva.