DATE=3/31/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RUSSIA / CHECHNYA (L)
NUMBER=2-260805
BYLINE=EVE CONANT
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: United Nations human rights chief Mary
Robinson is beginning a five-day visit to Russia to
check for human rights abuses in the rebellious
republic of Chechnya. V-O-A Moscow Correspondent Eve
Conant reports Ms. Robinson is to fly to the north
Caucasus to visit refugee camps and the Chechen
capital, Grozny, on Saturday and Sunday.
TEXT: Human rights chief Mary Robinson is expected to
investigate allegations of human rights abuses in
Chechnya, including reports of rape, torture, and
summary executions.
Human rights groups have accused Russia's military of
indiscriminately bombing civilian targets and of
committing atrocities on the scale of war crimes.
Ms. Robinson, a former president of Ireland, is due to
report her findings to the U-N Commission on Human
Rights, which is holding its annual meeting in Geneva.
Her visit also comes just days before the Council of
Europe is set to debate whether to suspend Russia's
membership because of its conduct of the war.
Ms. Robinson, whom Russian authorities had previously
denied access to the region, told reporters she wants
to assess the overall situation for civilians in
Chechnya.
/// ROBINSON ACT ///
It's very important for the reinforcement of a
culture of human rights that there be a serious
investigation. I am aware that the violence has
occurred on both sides, that there has also been
Chechen violence and that the background is a
complex one.
/// END ACT ///
The U-N human rights chief says she wants to "inform
herself" about the conditions in detention centers
inside Chechnya. Numerous human rights groups and
witnesses say Russian soldiers have brutally tortured
Chechen men and women at the Chernokozovo filtration
camp, where the military says fighters are separated
from the civilian population.
/// OPT /// It was still not clear on Friday which
camps she would be allowed to visit. /// END OPT ///
/// ROBINSON ACT ///
It is extremely important that the serious
allegations of human rights violations are
followed up and investigated and that there is
no impunity. This will require a very big
commitment and I will be looking for that
commitment.
/// END ACT ///
Russia has denied allegations of wide scale human
rights violations, but says it has begun its own
investigations. This week, Russian officials said
criminal cases have been opened against more than 100
Russian soldiers for alleged human rights violations.
Also this week, a Russian officer was formally charged
with raping and killing an 18-year-old Chechen girl.
But international observers say Russia has
consistently obstructed their efforts to carry out
independent investigations.
U-N human rights chief Robinson is expected to meet
Monday and Tuesday in Moscow with top officials,
including Russia's interior minister, foreign
minister, and justice minister.
/// REST OPT ///
It is not clear if a request for a meeting with
Russia's President-elect, Vladimir Putin, would be
granted. (Signed)
NEB/EC/JWH/JP
31-Mar-2000 10:38 AM EDT (31-Mar-2000 1538 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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